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| Science and maths skills warning | Science and maths skills warning |
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| Urgent action is needed to address "unacceptable failings" in maths and science in Scotland's schools, the education secretary has warned. | Urgent action is needed to address "unacceptable failings" in maths and science in Scotland's schools, the education secretary has warned. |
| It comes after a survey of more than 60 countries and regions found Scottish pupils were below the global average. | It comes after a survey of more than 60 countries and regions found Scottish pupils were below the global average. |
| The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss) compared primary and secondary school standards. | The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (Timss) compared primary and secondary school standards. |
| It found only 51% of P5 pupils and 68% of S2 pupils were taught science by a teacher who felt "very well" prepared. | It found only 51% of P5 pupils and 68% of S2 pupils were taught science by a teacher who felt "very well" prepared. |
| In maths, Scotland lagged behind countries such as Armenia and Slovenia - and its overall highest position was 13th out of 49 countries. | In maths, Scotland lagged behind countries such as Armenia and Slovenia - and its overall highest position was 13th out of 49 countries. |
| 'Great challenge' | 'Great challenge' |
| Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has demanded a detailed analysis of the report is put together for a summit in the new year. | Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop has demanded a detailed analysis of the report is put together for a summit in the new year. |
| She said: "This survey highlights unacceptable failings in maths and science in Scotland's schools and confirms the urgent need to act. | She said: "This survey highlights unacceptable failings in maths and science in Scotland's schools and confirms the urgent need to act. |
| "During the last administration the achievement of Scots pupils fell back between 2003 and 2007 compared to other countries. | "During the last administration the achievement of Scots pupils fell back between 2003 and 2007 compared to other countries. |
| "There is no doubt this government has inherited a great challenge and it is for us now to take action. This survey paints a picture of Scotland standing still while other nations pushed by." | "There is no doubt this government has inherited a great challenge and it is for us now to take action. This survey paints a picture of Scotland standing still while other nations pushed by." |
| This survey paints a very disappointing picture Liz SmithConservative education spokeswoman Compiled by researchers in the US, the Timss study is an important benchmark for comparing standards in maths and science around the world. | |
| Nearly 4,000 P5 pupils and the same number of S2 pupils took part. | |
| As in 2003, the best results have been achieved by Pacific rim countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and South Korea. | As in 2003, the best results have been achieved by Pacific rim countries, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and South Korea. |
| England's pupils were placed in the top 10 for science and maths. | England's pupils were placed in the top 10 for science and maths. |
| Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Liz Smith said the findings were "alarming". | |
| She said: "This survey paints a very disappointing picture. | |
| "I am particularly concerned about the lack of basic skills in mathematics which, together with the issues about basic literacy amongst too high a proportion of the pupil population, re-enforces the need for far more focus to be put on the teaching of the 3Rs at primary school." |