Mr DC Smiles (Democratic Alliance) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) What (a) are the names of international tests for mathematics, science and literacy in which South African learners participate and (b) grades are involved;
(2) What are the (a) names of such tests in which South Africa is no longer participating, (b) relevant timeframes for such withdrawal and (c) reasons for the decisions to withdraw?
Reply:
1. South Africa has over the years participated in the following regional and international studies.
(a) The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS):
This international study assesses learner performance in literacy in grade four. South Africa participated for the first time in 2006.
(b) Southern and East Africa Consortium for Monitoring Education Quality (SACMEQ):
This regional study, involving only African countries, monitors learner performance for grade six learners in language, mathematics and (recently in the 2007 study) HIV and AIDS. Three such studies have already been conducted with South Africa taking part in all.
(c) Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies
(TIMSS):
This international study assesses learner performance in mathematics and science in grade eight. South Africa participated in: 1999, 2001 and in 2006.
2. South Africa participated in the Monitoring Learner Achievement (MLA) study in 1999. This study has since been discontinued. MLA assessed literacy skills, reading and numeracy in grade four. Participation in the last TIMS study, which takes place every third year, was put on hold in 2008 to allow for the Education Department to focus on providing intensive support to schools guided by the previous results and challenges identified in local, regional and international studies on mathematics and numeracy teaching.
The Minister of Education immediately announced the temporary withdrawal of South Africa and simultaneously indicated that the country would consider participating in the 2011 TIMS assessments. Processes for this to happen are already in place.
Source: Department of Education
