Media

TIMSS is the largest international study of mathematics and science education in the history of comparative studies. It is conducted under the auspices of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). TIMSS consists of an international test of student achievement in mathematics and science, and it also probes into different factors that account for student achievement through a set of questionnaires. The 7th assessment cycle marks a 24-year period of trend data in student achievement since 1995 and an innovative computerised version of TIMSS. 

Over 60 countries/regions participated in TIMSS 2019, testing more than 580,000 Primary 4 and Secondary 2 students worldwide. The Hong Kong component of TIMSS is jointly conducted by the Faculty of Education of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Policy 21 Limited. In Hong Kong, 2,968 Primary 4 students from 139 primary schools and 3,265 Secondary 2 students from 136 secondary schools participated in the study. 

We cordially invite the press to attend a briefing on Hong Kong students’ performance in TIMSS 2019 at HKU. Details are as follows:

Date:              December 8, 2020 (Tuesday)
Time:             4:45 pm (reception starts at 4:15 pm)
Venue:           Room 408-410, Meng Wah Complex, The University of Hong Kong,
                       Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
Speakers:     Professor Frederick K.S. Leung, Chair Professor and Kintoy Professor in Mathematics
                       Education, Faculty of Education, HKU
                       Dr Maurice M. W. Cheng, Associate Professor, The University of Waikato, New Zealand
                      Mr Hak Kwong Yip, Director, Policy 21 Limited
Guests:        Professor Allen Y.L. Leung, Department of Education Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University
                      Mr Vincent W.S. Lo, Principal of Evangel College
Language:   Cantonese (Q&A session in Cantonese, English and Putonghua)

At the press briefing, the following issues will be addressed:

Performance of Hong Kong students in TIMSS 2019: 

1. Performance of Hong Kong students in TIMSS 2019: 
(i)    achievement of Hong Kong students in mathematics and science achievement in the context of the international achievement;
(ii)   trend results over a time period of 24 years (TIMSS 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019);
(iii)  comparative strengths and weaknesses of Hong Kong students; and
(iv)  comparisons of Hong Kong students’ mathematics and science results in eTIMSS, Bridge Study and previous cycles of TIMSS.

2. Hong Kong students’ attitudinal results on mathematics and science:
 (i)  students’ positive feeling about the subjects of mathematics and science;
(ii)  students’ confidence in learning mathematics and science; and
(iii) students’ value about mathematics and science.

3. Sharing and discussion by our two Guests

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Emily Cheung, Senior Manager (Development and Communications), Faculty of Education, HKU (Tel: 3917 4270 / Email: emchy@hku.hk).