The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) on Tuesday released the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2015 results‚ which compares standardised maths and science test results of SA’s Grade 9 pupils with pupils in 36 countries.

Director-general of the Department of Basic Education Mathanzima Mweli called the results “sweet and sour”.

About 12‚500 Grade 9 learners at almost 300 schools were tested and their results compared to results in South Africa in 2011‚ 2003‚ 1999 and 1995. https://cb511277ec7cfb2929b7ad1d5fb77c87.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

The average among Grade 9 learner score is 362‚ an improvement from 332 in 2011 – 400 is seen as an acceptable pass.

In 1996‚ the average score in Grade 9 was 280.

South African scores are at the bottom of the countries tested among Morocco‚ Saudi Arabia‚ and Jordan.