Türkiye tops Europe in elementary science education: TIMSS 2023
File photo shows a classroom with young students seated at desks, raising their hands to participate in a lesson, while a teacher stands at the front near a green chalkboard. (IHA Photo)
Türkiye ranked first among European countries and second among OECD nations in fourth-grade science, according to the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) results released on Wednesday.
The TIMSS, conducted every four years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), evaluates the mathematics and science proficiency of fourth and eighth-grade students globally. This year marked Türkiye’s best performance since it began participating in the study in 1999.
The Turkish Ministry of National Education’s General Directorate of Measurement, Assessment, and Examination Services published a national report analyzing Türkiye’s results in the TIMSS 2023 study.
The TIMSS 2023 study involved 658,172 students worldwide, with participation from 58 countries at the fourth-grade level and 44 countries at the eighth-grade level. In Türkiye, the assessments were conducted on a computer-based platform. A total of 282 schools and 9,466 students participated between May 2 and May 26, 2023.
4th-grade science
The performance of Türkiye’s fourth-grade science students was as follows:
- OECD countries: Ranked second, behind South Korea.
- Europe: Ranked first, surpassing all European countries.
- Global ranking: Fourth among 58 participating countries, with an average score of 570.
- Score improvement: Increased by 44 points compared to TIMSS 2019.
- Participation: 4,541 students from 141 schools.
8th-grade science
The performance of Türkiye’s eighth-grade science students was as follows:
- OECD countries: Ranked fifth.
- Global ranking: Seventh among 44 participating countries, with an average score of 530.
- Score improvement: Increased by 15 points compared to TIMSS 2019.
- Rank change: Advanced seven places globally compared to 2019.
- Participation: 4,925 students from 141 schools.
4th-grade mathematics
The performance of Türkiye’s fourth-grade math students:
- OECD countries: Ranked fourth.
- Europe: Ranked second among European countries.
- Global ranking: Eighth among 58 participating countries, with an average score of 553.
- Score improvement: Increased by 30 points compared to TIMSS 2019.
- Rank change: Advanced 15 places globally compared to 2019.
- Participation: 4,541 students.
8th-grade mathematics
- OECD countries: Ranked 10th.
- Global ranking: 13th among 44 participating countries, with an average score of 509.
- Score improvement: Increased by 13 points compared to TIMSS 2019.
- Rank change: Advanced seven places globally compared to 2019.
- Participation: 4,925 students.
