South Africa’s education system has been under scrutiny for years, and the results of international assessments paint a sobering picture of how our learners stack up against their peers globally. Benchmark studies like PIRLS, TIMSS, and SACMEQ provide hard data on reading, mathematics, and science skills. Unfortunately, the findings show that South African learners are performing well below many countries, including some that are significantly poorer.
This is based on the Centre for Development and Enterprise research.
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South African Learners compared to their International Peers
Let’s break it down.
Reading Literacy: PIRLS 2016
PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) evaluates Grade 4 learners in reading. Out of 50 countries, South Africa ranked last with an average score of 320 points. Only 22% of our learners managed to reach the minimum benchmark of 400 points, where they could read and understand basic texts.
Shockingly, South Africa was outperformed by countries like Georgia, Morocco, and Egypt, all of which have lower income levels. This highlights serious challenges in early literacy education.
Mathematics and Science: TIMSS 2019
The Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) compares Grade 4s and 8s globally. In South Africa, the test is taken by Grade 5s and 9s, yet the results remain grim:
Grade 5 Mathematics
- 374 points average score (3rd last out of 64 countries).
- Only 37% reached the low benchmark of 400 points, indicating minimal grasp of basic maths.
- Outperformed by poorer countries like Albania, Kosovo, and Morocco.
Grade 5 Science
- Average score: 324 points (3rd last again).
- Only 28% hit the low benchmark, demonstrating limited knowledge of basic science concepts.
- Once more, South Africa lagged behind Albania, Kosovo, and Morocco.
Grade 9 Mathematics
- 389 points, ranking 38th out of 39 countries.
- 59% of learners failed to reach the basic benchmark of 400 points.
- Countries like Georgia and Egypt scored higher.
Grade 9 Science
- Last place (39th) with 370 points.
- 64% of learners could not meet the 400-point benchmark, showing little understanding of basic science principles.
- Outperformed by Morocco, Egypt, and Georgia.
Reading and Mathematics: SACMEQ 2013
The Southern and Eastern African Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality (SACMEQ) assessed Grade 6 learners across 15 countries in reading and mathematics.
- South Africa scored 538 points in reading and 552 in maths, showing improvement from previous years.
- Despite this progress, countries like Botswana, Kenya, and Eswatini – with fewer resources – still achieved better results.
- Experts, however, have raised concerns about the accuracy of South Africa’s SACMEQ data, suggesting the numbers may be inflated.
What Do These Results Tell Us?
South Africa’s learners consistently perform poorly in global assessments, and the gaps are alarming:
- Early Literacy and Numeracy Issues: The low scores in Grade 4 and 5 assessments reveal foundational problems in reading and maths.
- Widening Disparities: Even in later grades, our learners struggle to meet basic benchmarks, lagging behind not only middle-income peers but also poorer nations.
- Systemic Challenges: These outcomes highlight deep-rooted issues in teaching quality, resource distribution, and curriculum delivery.
A Call for Urgent Action
South Africa’s position in these rankings is not just a reflection of the learners but of the system as a whole. To improve, we need targeted interventions in teacher training, resource allocation, and foundational education support. The results are a wake-up call, but with the right strategies, progress is possible. Let’s give our learners the education they deserve!