Dubai is among the top 5 globally in “science” and the top 10 in “mathematics”

The Emirate of Dubai has achieved a new international educational achievement that is added to the record of global appreciation for the efforts of the Dubai government in the field of education and learning, as private schools in the emirate ranked among the top five places in the world in the subject of “science,” and among the top ten places in the world in the subject of “mathematics,” according to The results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), which was held during the year 2023, were revealed internationally last Wednesday.

According to the results of the international study, which is held every four years and in which Dubai participated for the fifth time in a row, among about 72 countries and international cities, private schools in Dubai ranked fifth in the world in fourth-grade science with an average of 571 points, exceeding the global average set by the International Association for Evaluation. Educational achievement, the body responsible for implementing the international assessment, amounts to 494 points.

Private schools also achieved fourth place globally in eighth-grade science with an average of 563 points, surpassing the global average of 478 points.

The performance of Dubai school students in mathematics did not differ, as the results of the international study confirm that private schools in the emirate achieved seventh place in the world for the fourth grade with an average of 564 points, exceeding the global average of 503 points, and sixth place globally for the eighth grade with an average of 561 points, thus exceeding the global average. The amount is 478 points.

The results of the TIMSS study during the last two sessions (2019 and 2023) indicate the success of private schools in Dubai in exceeding the targets of the UAE National Agenda 2021, which is ranked fifteenth in the world. These results also reflect the commitment of the education system in Dubai to achieving the target of the Dubai Social Agenda that the quality of education be in Dubai is one of the top 10 cities in the world, by building the educational system most capable of keeping pace with Dubai’s future ambitions and developing its human capital.

The results of the TIMSS 2023 study reinforce the objectives of Education Strategy 33, which focuses on providing high-quality education to all learners with equal opportunities, based on the quality of life of students from different cultures, which reflects the ambitious vision of the Emirate of Dubai as an international destination for world-class education.

Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, Aisha Abdullah Miran, said: “The results of the TIMSS 2023 study highlight Dubai’s commitment to providing world-class education to all students in the various educational curricula applied in the emirate. They also reflect the insightful vision of the wise leadership, which always places education at the top of priorities. Believing that investing in the future begins with our educational institutions, which provide every learner with equal tools and opportunities to achieve the highest levels of excellence.”

She pointed out that this new achievement for the private education system in Dubai is in line with the objectives of Education Strategy 33, which places the student at the heart of the educational system by providing high-quality education with equal opportunities, and providing students with the necessary skills in basic subjects such as mathematics and science, in addition to empowering them with skills. Critical thinking and sustainability, ensuring their readiness to face future challenges and actively participate in the global economy as innovators and leaders capable of shaping the future.”

Miran stressed that these exceptional results reflect the ability of the education system in Dubai to exceed expectations, and constitute a strong and motivating start to strengthen our joint commitment to achieving the future goals of the Dubai Plan 2033 and its economic and social agendas, in addition to the Education Strategy 33.”

The results of the international study showed remarkable progress achieved by Emirati students in science and mathematics, as their grades exceeded the global average, compared to the previous session in 2019.

According to the results of the TIMSS 2023 study, students in grades 4 and 8 in the Indian curriculum performed higher than their peers in Dubai at all levels of international study, followed by students from the International Baccalaureate curriculum, and then students from the British curriculum.

Executive Director of the Education Quality Assurance Foundation at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, Fatima Ibrahim Belraheef, said: “The results of the TIMSS 2023 study highlight the dedication of Dubai’s private schools in providing world-class education to our students, as the continuous improvement in students’ performance reflects our shared commitment to raising standards and providing an educational environment.” “It gives every child the opportunity to achieve excellence. These exceptional results are a testament to the dedicated efforts of teachers in Dubai, the continuous support of parents, and the determination of our students to achieve global excellence.”

The TIMSS 2023 study included – for the first time – a dedicated framework for assessing students’ environmental attitudes and behaviors as part of its questionnaires related to the study, as private school students in Dubai ranked third globally in this aspect, which highlights the growing interest of the education system in Dubai in the concepts of sustainability and environmental education.

In this context, 97% of fourth grade students and 91% of eighth grade students in private schools in Dubai reported that they appreciate the importance of preserving the environment.

The TIMSS 2023 study included a questionnaire to monitor students’ opinions about various aspects of their educational experience, where about 90% of fourth grade students and 84% of eighth grade students in private schools in Dubai indicated that they feel a sense of belonging to school, compared to the global average of 87% and 79%. respectively.

About 9,500 male and female students from the fourth grade belonging to 185 private schools in Dubai participated in the TIMSS 2023 study, and 8,500 male and female students from the eighth grade belonging to 159 private schools in the emirate.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has relied on the results of international assessments since Dubai’s first participation in the TIMSS study in 2007, as one of the periodic inputs to monitor the reality of the educational system in the education sector in the emirate.