Singapore Leads World Education Rankings, Followed by Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea

Singapore has once again emerged as the best performer in international education tests, scoring the highest marks in maths, science and reading among primary and secondary students. The city-state was followed by other Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea, which also ranked among the top five in the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) released on Tuesday.

The TIMSS and PIRLS are conducted every four years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, a non-profit organisation based in Amsterdam. The tests measure the academic abilities of students in grades four and eight (or equivalent) across 64 countries and regions. More than 600,000 students participated in the 2023 assessments, which were administered in late 2022.

Singapore—Best at Education?

According to the results, Singaporean students outperformed their peers in all three subjects, achieving an average score of 625 in maths, 597 in science and 576 in reading. Hong Kong came second in maths (614) and reading (569), and third in science (570). Japan was third in maths (610) and reading (558), and fourth in science (569). South Korea was second in science (589), fourth in maths (608) and fifth in reading (549). Taiwan rounded up the top five in maths (596) and science (569), and ranked sixth in reading (542).

The report also highlighted the achievements of some European countries, such as Russia, Ireland, Finland and Poland, which scored above the international average in all subjects. However, it also noted a worrying decline in the performance of some Western nations, such as the UK and the US, which ranked 20th and 28th respectively in maths, 15th and 25th in science, and 13th and 15th in reading.

The report attributed the success of the Asian countries to several factors, such as high-quality teachers, rigorous curricula, parental involvement and cultural values that emphasise the importance of education. It also suggested that the use of technology, such as computers and tablets, in classrooms and at home could enhance students’ learning experiences and outcomes.

The report also urged policymakers and educators to address the challenges and gaps that still exist in the global education system, such as the disparities in achievement between boys and girls, urban and rural areas, and socio-economic groups. It also called for more efforts to foster students’ interest and confidence in learning, as well as their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The report concluded that the TIMSS and PIRLS provide valuable insights and benchmarks for improving the quality and equity of education around the world. It also stressed the need for more collaboration and exchange of best practices among countries and regions to ensure that all students have access to the opportunities and benefits of education.

Noto

Jakarta-based Newswriter for The Asian Affairs. A budding newswriter that always keep track of the latest trends and news that are happening in my country Indonesia.

Recent Posts

Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024

The 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 19, 2024 and…

December 22, 2024

Shooting concludes: Stranger Things 5 to release on Netflix in 2025

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is one of the most popular sci-fi horror series globally. It is set…

December 21, 2024

China’s Hypersonic Expansion in Asia Raises Alarms for India

According to the US Department of Defense, China has now produced the most sophisticated supply of hypersonic weapons in the…

December 21, 2024

Melaka International Halal Festival 2024

The Melaka International Halal Festival 2024 aims to turn the city as the prime center of the Halal products and…

December 21, 2024

Chunichi Dragons Renews the Contract of Hiroto Takahashi with Annual Salary of 120 million yen

On Saturday, the stalwart of Chunichi Dragons Pitcher, Hiroto Takahashi attended the negotiation for his contract renewal for the next…

December 21, 2024

Biden-Harris administration cancels another $4.28 billion in US student loans

US President Joe Biden has cancelled another $4.28 billion in student loans for nearly 55,000 people across the country, the…

December 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More