The best in math and science

 

By Fann Sim | Yahoo! Newsroom

• Singapore students are ranked as one of the best in math, science and reading literacy. (AFP file photo)

Singapore primary four students rank as the best in the world in math and the second-best in science, a global study shows.
 
Also, secondary school 2 students in the country led in science and came in second internationally in math, according to the Trends In International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) that evaluates test scores in 63 countries.

Students in Hong Kong and South Korea also ranked very high in the two subjects.
 
The study sampled a total of 12,500 primary four and secondary two students between 2010 and 2011. 

In the separate Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) that covered 49 countries, Singapore primary four students also showed strength in reading, ranking in fourth place.
 
“The studies show that our students received strong support from their schools and homes, which has helped to cultivate their interest in these subjects. Our students liked mathematics and science more than their international peers,” the Ministry of Education said in a statement.

“Internationally, the studies show that students benefitted from engaging in early-literacy activities such as reading books, telling stories and singing songs before starting P1,” it said.
 
Reflecting on Singapore’s performance in the latest TIMSS and PIRLS studies, Ho Peng, MOE’s director-general of education, said, “Overall, Singapore students have done well. In particular, students across all ability groups have improved.”

 

Check out the top 10 scoring countries below.


Top 10 scoring nations on the TIMSS study. (Yahoo! image)