SA learners still struggling with maths and science

TIMSS is a cross-national assessment of the maths and science levels of about 630 000 learners.

Forty eight countries participate in the assessment of Grade 4 and 5 and 36 countries participate in the assessment of Grade 8 and 9.

South Africa took part in the Grade 5 and Grade 9 levels and was among the worst performing countries in both subjects.

"In the next two weeks a mathematics indaba has been scheduled for the department to discuss and conceptualise the norms and standards at key stages and what is required to assess those standards. Key among those discussions will be the use of a common textbook in maths which outlines the same methodology on concepts for all learners," says Motshekga.

The study founds socio-economic factors can have positive or negative effects on the educational outcomes of a learner. 

Human Sciences Research Council Executive Vijay Reddy says parents play a big role in the responsibility of education.

"We need to bring parents and the community more into the fold on how to contribute to this," says Reddy.