STUDENTS in Ireland are among the highest performers in Europe when it comes to maths and science, according to a new international report.
Data compiled in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) show that Irish students at both primary and secondary level are doing well in both subjects compared to their European counterparts.
The study, conducted across 2019, surveyed around 650,000 students in 64 different countries in nearly 300 schools.
While Irish students are performing well in the European table, we still notably lag well behind several east Asian countries and jurisdictions including Singapore, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Korea and Japan.
Headline results of Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (2019)
Fourth class: Maths
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Republic of Korea
- Chinese Taipei
- Japan
- Russian Federation
- Northern Ireland
- Ireland
- Latvia
Fourth class: Science
- Singapore
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Japan
- Chinese Taipei
- Finland
- Latvia
- Norway
- United States
- Lithuania
- Sweden
- England
- Czech Republic
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- Poland
- Hungary
- Ireland
Second year: Maths
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Republic of Korea
- Japan
- Hong Kong
- Russian Federation
- Ireland
- Lithuania
Second year: Science
- Singapore
- Chinese Taipei
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Finland
- Lithuania
- Hungary
- Australia
- Ireland
Responding to the results, Minister for Education Norma Foley welcomed the fact that Ireland had maintained its strong performance.
"This high performance reflects the commitment and hard work of our school communities but also the significant efforts that have been put into the national literacy and numeracy strategy, curricular review and redevelopment, the Stem education policy statement and the digital strategy for schools," she said.
See More: Irish Schools, Irish Students, Maths, Science
