Taiwanese fourth and eighth graders rank among the world’s best in science and mathematics and achieved on average markedly better grades last year than in 2003, but at the same time generally have a negative view of the subjects or do not feel confident in them, the National Science Council (NSC) said yesterday.
When asked whether low confidence among students in those subjects could be a result of being taught concepts too advanced for their age, National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) mathematics professor Lin Fou-lai (林福來) conceded that this “could be a potential concern ... We are indeed teaching [certain] materials to our students at younger ages compared with other countries.”
Citing the 2007 Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2007), conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), NTNU Science Education Center director Chang Chun-yen (張俊彥) said Taiwan’s fourth graders ranked second and third among 37 countries in terms of their achievements in science and mathematics respectively.
The nation’s eighth graders ranked second and first among 50 countries in the two subjects, Chang said.
Four other Asian countries — Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan — also ranked exceptionally well.
“Compared to TIMSS 2003, our fourth graders have made significant progress in both subjects, while eighth graders did better in mathematics than in 2003 ... Eighth graders did worse in science, however, compared with four years ago,” he said.
Despite their exceptional skills in math and science, the nation’s fourth graders ranked 36 and 23 respectively out of 37 countries in terms of positive attitudes toward the subjects, while eighth graders ranked 39 and 28 respectively out of 50 countries in terms of their confidence in the subjects.
When asked whether the education system’s strong emphasis on exams might have contributed to the high achievement level and low interest level, Lin said: “Yes, the tests may have driven the performance.”
Tests are part of Taiwan’s educational culture, he said, but some countries don’t make elementary school students take tests.
“Another part of our culture is that while Western parents tend to praise their children for, say, scoring 90 percent on a test, Eastern parents tend to ask: ‘Where did the other 10 percent go?’”
Responding to comments that although the US did not rank high in any of the categories, US scientists were highly successful and innovative, Lin said: “One factor is that with a strong economy the US can attract top scientists from all over the world ... Also, US universities are much more open, while you cannot teach innovation with tests.”
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS