South Africa’s Math and Science Education Crisis: Analyzing the Global Rankings

Understanding South Africa’s Last Place in Global Math and Science: Age Isn’t the Solution

South Africa continues to struggle in international rankings for mathematics and science. The country ranked poorly in the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), with both grade 5 and grade 9 students scoring significantly below the global average.

In fact, South Africa’s performance was particularly concerning in science, where it came last among participating countries.

Despite these challenges, there is some improvement over the long term. The country has seen gradual increases in scores over the past 25 years, especially among students from lower-income households.

However, South Africa still faces significant hurdles in its education system, including inequality and under-resourced schools, which contribute to its poor results.

Experts suggest that addressing foundational education and improving early childhood development are crucial to improving future performance.