Taiwanese students performed well in the international study competition. The Minister of Education thanked the teachers for their professional guidance.
Quick Look
- Taiwanese students have performed well in the four major international learning evaluations (TIMSS, ICCS, ICILS, and PISA) in recent years.
- Mathematics, science, reading, civic cognition, computer and information literacy, and computational thinking have ranked among the top five in the world, with civic cognition and computational thinking ranking first in the world.
- Minister of Education Zheng Yingyao thanked the teachers for their professionalism and attentive teaching, and affirmed the achievements of the 12-year national education curriculum in strengthening the literacy orientation.
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Why It Matters
The 12-year national education curriculum was fully implemented in 2019, strengthening literacy orientation, inquiry and practice, and cross-field learning, aiming to cultivate students' problem-solving abilities and civic qualities. In recent years, students’ learning performance has been continuously monitored through international evaluations such as TIMSS, ICCS, ICILS, and PISA.
The dean thanks the teachers for being professional and teaching students attentively
Taiwanese students are proud! In recent years, Taiwanese students have ranked among the top five in the world in four major international learning evaluations, ranging from mathematics, science, reading, civic cognition, computer and information literacy, to computational thinking and solving skills. Among them, civic cognition and computational thinking ranked first in the world, reflecting the concrete results of the 12-year national education curriculum in strengthening literacy orientation.
Specific achievements in strengthening literacy in the 12-year national education curriculum
The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Education Achievement Survey (TIMSS) evaluates fourth- and eighth-grade mathematics and science, with participation from 70 countries and regions. In 2023, Taiwan ranked second in the world in fourth-grade mathematics and third in science, and ranked second in both eighth-grade mathematics and science.
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The "International Civic Education and Literacy Survey" (ICCS) evaluates eighth-grade civic literacy, with participation from about 24 countries and regions, and ranked first in the world in citizen awareness in 2022. The "International Computer and Information Literacy Study" (ICILS) evaluates eighth-grade computer and information literacy and computational thinking, with a total of 35 countries and regions participating. In 2023, it ranked first in the world in computational thinking and fourth in the world in computer and information literacy.
The "Program for International Student Assessment" (PISA) evaluates the mathematics, science and reading literacy of 15-year-old students. About 91 countries and regions participated. In 2025, it ranked fourth in science, third in reading, fourth in mathematics, and fifth in the world in operational problem-solving ability.
Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao said that the performance of Taiwanese students in international competitions is proud. In addition to the government's planning of forward-looking education policies and investment in education funds, he also expressed his gratitude to teachers for their professionalism, dedicated teaching of students, and parents' support. "Teachers are the unsung heroes who support the talent and development of Taiwan's technology industry." He paid tribute to teachers and hoped that society would have more confidence in Taiwan's education.
Be among the leading group in subject, digital and civic literacy
Tsang Finlan, deputy director of the Psychological Assessment Center at National Taiwan Normal University, said that Taiwan ranks among the world's leading groups in the three major aspects of subject, digital and civic literacy. It is no longer outstanding in a single subject, but has formed a complete talent cultivation advantage. The results come from stable basic education, solid mathematics and science traditions, literacy-oriented reforms, and the long-term accumulation of reading, information technology and civic education.
Students receive a quality and balanced education
Zeng Fenlin analyzed that 12 years of state education allows most students to receive a relatively balanced education; Taiwan's mathematics and physics education emphasizes logical reasoning, problem analysis and skilled learning, and the 108th curriculum further strengthens inquiry practice, cross-field learning and problem solving. Various evaluations focus on real-life situation application, citizen judgment and digital problem solving, and Taiwan ranks among the best, showing that literacy-oriented reforms are gradually reflected in student performance.
The evaluation can be used as an important reference for reviewing courses
Zhang Liaowanjian, political secretary of the Ministry of Education, said that the outstanding performance reflects the results of the 12-year national education curriculum that strengthens literacy orientation, inquiry and practice, and cross-field learning. International evaluations can also help understand student learning and areas for improvement, serving as an important reference for reviewing courses and policies.
Open Questions
- Can these evaluation results be maintained in the long term?
- What are the differences in the implementation of literacy-oriented reforms in different regions and schools?
- How can we further improve the world rankings of mathematics and science in the future?
