SCIENCE AND MATHS SKILLS WARNING

BBC NEWS
d/7774084.stm
2008/12/09 18:06:26 GMT

Urgent action is needed to address "unacceptable failings" in maths
and science in Scotland’s schools, the education secretary has warned.

It comes after a survey of more than 60 countries and regions found
Scottish pupils were below the global average.

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss)
compared primary and secondary school standards.

It found only 51% of P5 pupils and 68% of S2 pupils were taught
science by a teacher who felt "very well" prepared.

In maths, Scotland lagged behind countries such as Armenia and Slovenia
– and its overall highest position was 13th out of 49 countries.

‘Great challenge’

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has demanded a detailed analysis of
the report is put together for a summit in the new year.

She said: "This survey highlights unacceptable failings in maths and
science in Scotland’s schools and confirms the urgent need to act.

"During the last administration the achievement of Scots pupils fell
back between 2003 and 2007 compared to other countries.

"There is no doubt this government has inherited a great challenge
and it is for us now to take action. This survey paints a picture of
Scotland standing still while other nations pushed by."

Compiled by researchers in the US, the Timss study is an important
benchmark for comparing standards in maths and science around the
world.

Nearly 4,000 P5 pupils and the same number of S2 pupils took part.

As in 2003, the best results have been achieved by Pacific rim
countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and South
Korea.

England’s pupils were placed in the top 10 for science and maths.

Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said the findings
were "alarming".

She said: "This survey paints a very disappointing picture.

"I am particularly concerned about the lack of basic skills in
mathematics which, together with the issues about basic literacy
amongst too high a proportion of the pupil population, re-enforces
the need for far more focus to be put on the teaching of the 3Rs at
primary school."