The results of the 2015 TIMSS cycle were released on the 29th November 2016. South Africa participated in TIMSS 2015 at the Grade 5 level in Numeracy, and at the Grade 9 level in both Mathematics and Science. These results provide important information about the state of mathematics and science education in the country and what is required for im ...

We are excited to announce the South African release of the TIMSS 2015 results. In collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, the Grade 9 Mathematics and Science, and Grade 5 Mathematics results will be launched on 29 November. In addition, two highlights documents, one for each grade, will also be released. 2015 was the first year th ...

An outcome of the apartheid government’s education policies was a low-quality and unequal schooling system, leading to a post-school education system that is not accessible to those with poor levels of schooling. Education is a key priority, and the country has invested enormous resources to improve the schooling system. The state has improved ...

The South African government has highlighted the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the development of the country. However, the number of learners in Grade 12 passing mathematics with high quality passes is low. This has significant implications for post-school education, the labour market and the developmen ...

This month’s newsletter focuses on the relationship between science and the public as we celebrate National Science Week in South Africa. This initiative by the Department of Science and Technology is being held from 8-13 August at various sites across the country, with the theme of ‘Science for Sustainable Development and Improved Quality of ...

South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world in terms of income distribution. This edition of the TIMSS newsletter examines inequality not only evident in relation to income, but in relation to the different layers of inequality which exist within the country. Two important issues that cannot be overlooked when speaking about i ...

The debates around resources and spending on education usually focus on expanding access to quality education to underserved groups. The lack of adequate funding, however, may prevent low-and lowermiddle income countries from achieving this goal (see The Education 2030 Agenda). This edition of the TIMSS SA newsletter explores resources and spendi ...

The January release of the matric results puts a spot light on the performance of our learners and sparks debates about the health of the South African education system. This month’s newsletter therefore focuses on aspects of the matric results, as well as the debates which have surfaced surrounding learner performance in general.

In this month’s newsletter we focus on the pathways and transitions of South African students through the education system. All of the resources included here seek to understand the various pathways and transitions which are followed by students and the factors which affect them, in order to understand what is happening within our education and ...

Information and communication technology (ICT) in schools has been widely promoted on the basis that it has the potential to improve and diversify learning. The South African government has recognised this fact in the 2004 White Paper on e-education, as well as the Department of Basic Education’s Action Plan to 2019. In this month’s issue, we ...