The 3rd tri-annual Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) claims that the UK has fallen in the international rankings for Maths and reading. The results were concluded after assessing teenagers in 57 countries. From its 8th rank in Maths in 2003, the UK dipped to 24th in 2006. The same interval saw it dipping from 7th to 17 in reading. Taiwan came first in maths according to the survey, followed by Finland, Hong Kong, South Korea and the Netherlands.
The Program for International Student Assessment (Pisa), which made a survey on Science, found out that England fell down to rank 14 in 2006 from its rank 4 in 2000 in Maths and reading. The survey, however, saw the results as an indication of strengths and weaknesses in national education system rather than a plain judgement on one subject. Participating students in Pisa informed that science is vital for gaining an understanding of the natural world.
Steve Sinnott, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, agreed that it was good news that students ranked Science highly. Nonetheless he refused to draw convincing conclusions about the degrading standards of teaching of Maths and reading based on the results of PISA. He also said that private schools, which are blessed with greater resources, small class size and good equipment, are in a better position to teach youngster than state schools. He, however, described the science curriculum as over-prescribed and overloaded and stressed on hiring more Science teachers.
Shadow schools minister Michael Gove accused the government of failing to live up to its promises of bringing about improvements in education especially in sectors of Maths and reading. David Laws, Liberal Democrat shadow schools secretary, thinks it is unfortunate that UK students are failing to achieve success in league tables, and feels that the disastrous results will now induce the government to review the education policy. The next Pisa survey in 2009 is again scheduled to evaluate reading, Pisa 2012 maths and 2015 science.
Michael Reiss, director of education at the Royal Society, opines that it is necessary to find out the reason behind the dismal performance of the UK students, in Maths and reading as Science and Maths are most vital for ensuring progress of the country.
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