Initiatives to Address Decline in Students' Interest in Mathematics despite High Achievement Levels

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Education based on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study 2023 (TIMSS), what initiatives are being implemented to counter the reported decline in students' interest in mathematics despite high achievement levels.

The decline in students' interest in learning Mathematics was observed across many participating education systems in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 2023, including in the higher-performing ones. Notwithstanding this decline, factors that potentially support students' interest in learning Mathematics remain robust in Singapore. Our students reported higher instructional clarity in Mathematics lessons, compared to most top-performing systems in TIMSS 2023. The proportion of students who indicated that their teachers deployed a wide range of teaching strategies to support their learning had also increased from TIMSS 2019.

To develop our students' interest in learning Mathematics, the Ministry of Education (MOE) adopts age-appropriate pedagogies that are engaging, such as through games or use of technology, so that students can experience fun and success in learning. For example, learning through play is a key feature of the Learning Support for Mathematics programme for students who need more support. The curriculum also encourages hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving, enabling students to apply and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts in authentic scenarios.

MOE will continue to develop teachers' capacity and update curriculum resources to make learning more meaningful and engaging for learners.