Hong Kong’s students scored better in maths and science over past 20 years, international study finds
But a lower number, compared with overseas counterparts, are passionate about learning maths, and feel confident in both subjects
Hong Kong students have made significant gains in maths and science over the last 20 years, but compared with international counterparts, fewer of them are passionate about learning maths and have confidence in both subjects, a study has found.
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2015, released yesterday, included over 582,000 Primary Four and Secondary Two students from 57 countries or regions. In Hong Kong, about 8,000took part.
Researchers said there were significant improvements in Hong Kong’s assessment results last year compared with the first study in 1995 for both subjects at the Primary Four and Secondary Two levels. The scores for Primary Four maths and science, and Secondary Two science were also significantly better than in the 2011 assessment.
For example, Hong Kong got an average score of 615 for Primary Four maths, up from 602 in 2011, and 557 in 1995. In Secondary Two science, the score last year was 546, up from 535 in 2011 and 510 in 1995.
The city also moved up to second place for Primary Four maths from the third spot in 2011, and its ranking for Secondary Two maths was unchanged – at No 4 – from the last assessment. In Primary Four science, it jumped to fifth place from 2011’s ninth, while for Secondary Two, it edged up to sixth place from the eighth spot.