Latest news with #TIMSS
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Readers' letters: Qualification questions in Scotland's education ‘data desert'?
I am sure that most of us would accept that, as a sampling exercise, the PISA ratings for reading, mathematics and science may be more approximate than exact. That said, the figures for Scottish pupils have declined pretty steadily since the first such exercise in 2000. This is a very touchy point with Scottish nationalists, especially when it can be shown that English schools are scoring better than Scottish schools, as was the case in the latest PISA results in 2022. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Stan Grodynski (Letters, 9 August) prefers to focus on the 'narrow approach still taken in England'. Yet the PISA results are for pupils across the globe aged 15. It's worth noting that the normal course for 15-16 year olds in England is to take 8 to 10 GCSEs, a broad curriculum. In Scotland, pupils in S4 normally take 4-8 subjects at National 4 or National 5. Yes, the curriculum is broader at Higher than at A-level, but that argument does not wash for PISA results. It is all very well to criticise PISA results, but, for Scotland, they are the only international comparisons that we have. Over the SNP's years in government, Scotland has been withdrawn from TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study). England continues to participate in TIMSS and PIRLS, along with about 60 other countries. The Scottish administration has also, from 2018, discontinued its own SSLN (Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy). This has led Professor Lindsay Paterson to designate Scottish education as a 'data desert'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We are expected to rejoice at the (small) increase in the number of pupils achieving good exam grades this year. But how are parents, employers or voters supposed to know how valid qualifications in Scotland are when Scotland has opted out of most comparisons? Jill Stephenson, Edinburgh Petitioning PM The Parliamentary Petition calling for the end of Starmer and the need for an immediate General Election has graduated from gentle snowball into threatening avalanche. It will soon hit one million registrations and will progress at Pavlovian speed thereafter. The lame and tame Speaker can no longer stand in the way and will have to make time for a mainstream debate. Two million registrations will persuade Starmer to offer a Free Vote to his MP's as they are not all as incompetent and ineffective as himself. Five million registrations will force Parliament to be recalled from wherever overpaid MP's are sunning themselves and listen to the voices of ordinary folk who just want fairness, justice and adequate recompense for hard-work. Starmer is doomed, but will demand time to get the tenants out of his house and also a few free football tickets before he goes. It is to be hoped that he will take Rayner, Reeves and Cooper with him, a quadruple disaster which Britain never deserved. Graham Hadley, Dunfermline, Fife Tram consultation A question has been troubling me since I saw a Facebook post by Dr Scott Arthur MP advertising the consultation by City of Edinburgh Council on the route for the next tram line from Granton to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. It was brought into focus by Brian Wilson's excellent and thought provoking piece on Page19, Saturday 09th August 'Compensation is fine …- Pylons'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I would ask the question but rephrased, 'Consultation is fine but do we need more trams?' We are all too well aware the disruption and damage both physically and visually to the roadways by the work and resulting ugly cable supports and additionally financially to the affected businesses and the public purse of the first tram line plus the extension. It is well understood that tram systems work well as orbital links on wide dedicated boulevards not on narrow congested radial routes as in Edinburgh. One wonders what mayhem and reduction in pedestrian and cycling facilities would be created by taking trams up the North Bridge and through the constricted space adjacent to the Tron kirk. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Would the track have to be single with alternate running? Would the cycle route be the other side of the Tron Kirk and down the steps through Hunter Square. Given the imbecility of the Leith walk cycleway I would not put it past the council to deem this a workable solution. Bear in mind none of the route or construction was their responsibility I was once informed by Lesley Hinds, remember her, that it was entirely the responsibility of the project design/management company. Like Brian Wilson I pose the question – do we need more trams, the first line did an excellent job of replacing the 22 bus route with a slower alternative which doesn't actually go into the airport. Will the next one not simply replace the number 7 bus – more importantly where would it terminate, Cameron toll? A better alternative would be to consider regeneration of the South Suburban railway with frequent shuttle buses from existing park and ride locations which would go some way to alleviating the now endless congestion on the city bypass. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I suggest the answer may lie with the Labour party who should get their act together to win a majority in Holyrood in the forthcoming election then pull the plug on vanity projects and for the greater good of Scotland concentrate on funding the health and other core services we need and deserve. Neil Robertson, Edinburgh Drug consequences Drug deaths in Scotland have soared by 7 per cent in the past year. When these figures are added to the sorry tale of the ever-climbing numbers brought about by SNP rule and policies over the years, we really should stop and think. In essence, the basic reason for the drugs deaths' spiral is the same as that of most self-inflicted disasters initiated by nationalist administrations over the years. They do not want to emulate others in the UK who have had success in this matter. They would rather do it the uniquely Scottish way, no matter what the consequence. Alexander McKay, Edinburgh Write to The Scotsman
New Straits Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Preschool to be made compulsory for five-year-olds under 13MP
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will make preschool education compulsory from the age of five to enhance educational outcomes, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said the government would also review optimal school hours, assess the effectiveness of specialised schools, and improve education models for gifted and talented students. "The national education system will be streamlined to become more integrated, effective, and responsive to future challenges. "To this end, the plan is for preschool to secondary education to be placed fully under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education," he said when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat today. Anwar said the quality of Malaysia's education would be raised to meet international benchmarks, based on assessments such as Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) and TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study), to ensure the system remains competitive and relevant. "Emphasis will also be placed on making English a core medium of learning and communication, while additional language learning will be expanded. "Strengthening STEM education and digital literacy, including introducing the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI), will be prioritised to prepare a generation ready to meet the demands of a high-value future job market." Anwar said the Higher Education Ministry would coordinate pre-university and higher education to clarify jurisdictions and enhance policy and implementation efficiency. "A National Education Council has been established to coordinate, monitor, and formulate appropriate interventions to ensure Malaysia's education system remains progressive and world-class. "The government will also implement a pilot project to grant selected public universities greater autonomy, strengthening the governance of higher learning institutions." He said efforts to internationalise public higher education institutions would also be intensified to improve their global competitiveness. "Continuous training and upskilling programmes will be implemented to boost the competence and professionalism of teachers, who are the backbone of our education system. "The teacher recruitment mechanism will be improved to allow for open selection from various sources, ensuring opportunities are given to candidates who are truly qualified, capable, and committed to the education field." Anwar said Malaysia must not be content with being a local champion that excels only on home ground but fails to make a mark on the global stage.
The Age
25-06-2025
- Science
- The Age
Eleven crucial kindergarten skills that lead to future success
Australian kindergarten students whose classmates start school with core literacy and numeracy skills perform considerably better in maths and science by year 4, new research based on global test results has found. The latest instalment of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) asked principals to estimate how many of their year 4 students could complete 11 key literacy and numeracy skills when they started school. The skills included recognising most letters of the alphabet, reading some words, identifying written numbers from one to 10, and doing simple addition and subtraction. Analysis by the Australian Council for Educational Research found that, in schools where 75 per cent of students began school with at least six of the 11 skills, children went on to perform significantly better in the year 4 maths and science TIMSS tests. On average, these children scored 570 in year 4 maths and 585 in year 4 science, placing them in the 'high' benchmark for achievement. Loading In contrast, schools where less than 25 per cent of students started kindergarten with these foundational skills scored lower in year 4 maths and science tests: an average of 509 for maths, and 539 for science, placing them in the bottom of the 'intermediate' achievement band. Year 4 has long been considered a crucial year for student development, said Australian Council for Educational Research senior research fellow and report co-author Dr Dan Cloney. 'Learning is cumulative,' he said, adding that what a student learns from age two to four is 'a really strong predictor' of their learning in upper primary and senior high school.
Sydney Morning Herald
25-06-2025
- Science
- Sydney Morning Herald
Eleven crucial kindergarten skills that lead to future success
Australian kindergarten students whose classmates start school with core literacy and numeracy skills perform considerably better in maths and science by year 4, new research based on global test results has found. The latest instalment of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) asked principals to estimate how many of their year 4 students could complete 11 key literacy and numeracy skills when they started school. The skills included recognising most letters of the alphabet, reading some words, identifying written numbers from one to 10, and doing simple addition and subtraction. Analysis by the Australian Council for Educational Research found that, in schools where 75 per cent of students began school with at least six of the 11 skills, children went on to perform significantly better in the year 4 maths and science TIMSS tests. On average, these children scored 570 in year 4 maths and 585 in year 4 science, placing them in the 'high' benchmark for achievement. Loading In contrast, schools where less than 25 per cent of students started kindergarten with these foundational skills scored lower in year 4 maths and science tests: an average of 509 for maths, and 539 for science, placing them in the bottom of the 'intermediate' achievement band. Year 4 has long been considered a crucial year for student development, said Australian Council for Educational Research senior research fellow and report co-author Dr Dan Cloney. 'Learning is cumulative,' he said, adding that what a student learns from age two to four is 'a really strong predictor' of their learning in upper primary and senior high school.
Daily Tribune
31-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Tribune
Ministry of Education honours NMS for TIMSS 2023 excellence
The Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Juma Honored New Millennium School by facilitating the school principal and science and mathematics educators for the outstanding performance of the students in TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) 2023. The school has been placed in the high category for Science and Mathematics. Even where there is a drop in International Average in 2023 TIMSS as compared to 2019 TIMSS, the NMS average has remarkably shown an upward trend. The school average in the TIMSS is much higher than the International Average. The results reflect the school's strong commitment to academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, and a robust STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum. TIMSS, conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), is administered every four years and assesses trends in student performance across more than 60 countries. The assessment provides valuable data that helps schools and policymakers improve educational outcomes. The school management expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for giving an opportunity to be the part of TIMSS Exam and for facilitating the mentors by the Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Mohamed bin Mubarak Juma. Congratulating the students and staff, Principal, Dr Arun Kuumar Sharma said that the remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work of the students, the expertise and commitment of the dedicated teachers, and the support of the school community. He further added that the school is proud to see its students not only meeting but exceeding international benchmarks in Math and Science. School Chairman Dr. Ravi Pillai and Managing Director, Geetha Pillai congratulated the students and their mentors for their commendable performance.
