site.btaBulgaria's Fourth Graders Score 530 in Mathematics and Science, Outperforming Global Averages in 2023 TIMSS Study

Bulgaria participated in the international TIMSS study for the third time, achieving its best mathematics results compared to 2015 and 2019, caretaker Minister of Education Galin Tsokov said here on Wednesday, presenting the results of the fourth graders according to the 2023 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).

The average score for Bulgarian fourth-grade students in mathematics was 530 points. In science, which includes physics, chemistry, geography, and biology, the average score was also 530 points, marking an improvement of 9 points compared to the 2019 study.

TIMSS 2023: A Global Comparative Study

The TIMSS study, focused on mathematics and science, was conducted across 59 countries in 2023. Held every four years since 1995, Bulgaria has now participated in the study for three consecutive cycles. In Bulgaria, the 2023 study included 4,103 students from 153 schools, alongside their 232 teachers and the parents of 4,073 students.

In addition to testing, the study incorporated questionnaires for students, teachers, and parents. These questionnaires explored the broader context in which children develop their abilities in mathematics and science, including family, social, school, and classroom environments.

Bulgarian Students Outperform Global Averages

Bulgaria's fourth graders scored significantly above the international average of 503 points in mathematics and 496 points in science. Tsokov highlighted this achievement, stating, "This shows that our students perform much better than fourth graders in many other educational systems."

Asian countries dominated the rankings, with Singapore's students taking the top spot in both mathematics and science. Bulgaria’s results place its students roughly 14th or 15th globally, with comparable scores to countries like Czechia and Sweden in mathematics. Bulgaria’s 530-point score in mathematics matches Czechia and Sweden, surpasses Finland by one point, and exceeds Australia and Germany by 5 and 6 points, respectively.

Science Performance: Comparable to Leading Countries

In science, Bulgaria's students also performed competitively, achieving the same score as students from Norway (530 points) and surpassing students from Czechia, Romania, Slovenia, and Latvia. Tsokov noted that Bulgaria's science scores are comparable to those of Sweden, the USA, and Ireland.

Key Factors Behind Bulgaria’s Success

Tsokov stressed that these achievements are influenced by various factors within the educational environment, such as teaching quality, curriculum design, and support from families and schools. "The overall conclusion from these results is that our fourth graders perform very well in these international comparative studies."

He added that these results are closely connected to and examined in the context of how different factors affect the educational environment and the training of fourth graders.