THE COUNTRY’S grade four students fared worst in mathematics and science proficiency in a global assessment conducted by a Netherlands-based research institution.

The 2019 edition of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study gave the Philippines the scores of 297 and 249 in mathematics and science, respectively, the lowest among 58 countries.

Last year’s performance was even worse than the scores that the country got in 2003 — 358 in math and 332 in science.

The TIMSS makes use of a 4-level scale to interpret students’ scores: Advanced International Benchmark (625), High International Benchmark (550), Intermediate International Benchmark (475), and Low International Benchmark (400).

The study found that only one percent of Filipino students reached the high benchmark in mathematics, which means that “students apply conceptual understanding to solve problems.”

“About six percent of Filipino students reached the intermediate benchmark, where they can apply basic mathematical knowledge in simple situations. Around 19 percent of them finished in the low benchmark, which shows they possess “some basic mathematical knowledge,” it added.

In science, 13 percent of Filipino students were in the low benchmark, which means “students show limited understanding of scientific concepts and limited knowledge of foundational science facts.”

Only one percent was in the high benchmark while five percent was in the intermediate.

University of the Philippines Professor Ramon Guillermo said the low scores revealed “the problem of Philippine education.”

“Totoong maraming dahilan ang kabulukan ng sistemang pang-edukasyon. Ngunit kailan kayo/tayo matututo na ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat ay ang pagkaintindi ng mag-aaral ng leksiyon? Magagawa lamang ito kapag hindi wikang banyaga ang gagamitin sa pagtuturo ng mga bata,” Guillermo said.

He stressed that students will better understand their lessons if educators will teach using Filipino language.

“Labis nating pinahihirapan ang mga batang Filipino samantalang walang ganitong balakid ng banyagang wika ang karamihan ng mga mauunlad na bansa na magagaling magbasa, mahuhusay sa matematika at may binubuga sa syensya. Hindi Ingles ang kanilang ginagamit na wikang panturo,” he said.