There has been a significant decrease in performance in maths and science among girls in Ireland in recent years, according to latest data.
Tests carried out involving both Irish fourth class and second year students as part of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2023, show a significant decrease in the scores achieved by second year girls, while second year boys' scores remained steady, as did the scores achieved by both sexes in fourth class.
More than 6,300 fourth class pupils in primary schools and more than 6,300 second year students in post-primary were tested last year as part of the latest TIMSS cycle. Internationally more than 650,000 students across 65 countries participated.
Once again, Irish students emerge among the top performers internationally with no EU country performing significantly higher in either subject at second year. Internationally, only five countries - all east Asian - achieved higher scores than Irish fourth class pupils, and only four east Asian countries beat the performance of Irish second year students.
However, the outcomes also show an unexplained decline in the performance of second year girls.
Dr Sylvia Denner, one of the authors of the TIMSS study, said: "The mean score achieved by second year girls in TIMSS has decreased significantly over time, since 2019 for mathematics and since 2015 for science.
"So, we now see for the first time in 2023 significant gender differences in TIMSS, with boys significantly outperforming girls in both mathematics and science.
"Over the coming months, we will conduct more detailed analysis on this gender difference, including an examination of attitudes towards learning in both subjects."
Higher-achieving students
The new figures also show some improvement in the performance of higher-achieving students in Ireland.
Dr Aidan Clerkin, another author, said: "One challenge that had been highlighted in previous studies was the underperformance of higher-achieving students in Ireland compared to other countries.
"From that perspective, an important new finding from TIMSS 2023 is that we are now seeing more students reaching the more advanced benchmarks for mathematics and science compared to earlier studies.
"While this is a positive finding, there is still scope for further improvement among higher achievers."
The study found that the mean achievement of Ireland's fourth class pupils in maths and science is similar to two previous cycles carried out in 2019 and in 2015.
It shows mean achievement of second year students in both subjects also relatively stable over the same period.
Minister welcomes report
Welcoming the findings Minister for Education Norma Foley said: "TIMSS shows us that we have a stable and equitable education system, despite unprecedented disruption during the pandemic.
"I believe that this is due largely to the hard work of our students and the professionalism and dedication of our teachers and all our school staff.
"While there is more work to do, the consistent achievement of students in Ireland in international tests is certainly something of which to be very proud.
"Despite the high performance, however, it is apparent that there is room for improvement in supporting girls in particular in mathematics and science."
TIMSS is one of the world’s largest studies of educational achievement in mathematics and science.
The study is directed internationally by the TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Centre at Boston College in the United States, and is managed by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement.
