Introduction
Math and science are two of the most important aspects of any education system. While they are both integral to the development of an individual and his or her professional career, scoring well in these fields comes with its own set of challenges.
As technology and science continue to advance further and further, it becomes apparent that China has been consistently earning one of the highest rankings in the world when it comes to math and science. With this said, one cannot downplay the contributions of the nation and its people in the development of the educational fields. This article will explore the various reasons as to why China has been given the top spot in terms of math and science.
China’s Ranked High in International Math and Science Tests
One of the main reasons for China’s high ranking in math and science is its performance in international math and science tests. Chinese students have consistently scored highly in both subject areas.
According to the results of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), Chinese students have consistently been at the top-ranking countries or regions in terms of math and science attainment across the years. Shengning pai (2018) reported that in the 2015 version of the TIMSS, Chinese students performed strongly, even higher than the second-place Singapore. The gap between China and the second-place Singapore, was the biggest achievement gap ever recorded in any TIMSS round, a clear indication of China’s high level performance in math and science.
China’s High Investments in Education
The results of the TIMSS are a clear reflection of the Chinese government’s emphasis in investing in education. Reports indicate that the nation has always prioritized education and invested large portions of its national spending into improving the educational system (Kerr, 2017). The nation has also looked towards developing a world-class educational system, one that produces some of the best experts and scientists in the world (Cheng, 2015).
This is why funds are geared towards providing the best educational facilities, enhancing the quality of education, and taking into consideration the feedback from educational experts on the system.
Facilitating an Environment That Fosters Learning
The investments made by the nation have also created an environment which is conducive to learning and innovation. Schools provide necessary resources and are also able to offer up-to-date teaching technologies. The students also have access to ample learning opportunities that aren’t hampered by financial constraints.
Teachers are then able to focus on their individual students, helping them understand and master their subject areas. It is this added support that the students receive which leads to their success in math and science.
Focus on STEM Education
The Chinese government places emphasis on the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in its curriculum (Barrington & Pierce, 2020). Chinese schools also tend to place a great deal of emphasis in solidifying the importance of STEM subjects by providing real world applications and examples. Furthermore, the students are also provided with resources which are then used to inspire them and propel them in their pursuit of mastering the subject areas.
With these available resources, students are then able to work on projects related to their fields which eventually leads to them becoming more proficient in their studies.
Providing Quality Learning Experiences During Childhood
The Chinese government also places emphasis on early childhood education. This is done by providing the necessary resources and environment for kids to experience quality educational experiences. To ensure that kids receive the best education possible, kindergartens are integrated within the education system, allowing children to gain foundational skills necessary for them to understand math and science later on in school.
During the primary and high school education, the emphasis still remains in gaining mastery of math and science. With this said, schools provide various learning experiences and activities which then allows for childrento form a strong foundation when it comes to understanding mathematics and science.
Producing World-Class Researchers and Scientists
It is due to the emphasis on understanding math and science that allows China to produce some of the world’s best researchers and scientists. The educational system allows students to have a high level of mastery of the particular subject areas by providing them with real-world applications and examples which they are then able to use once they enter the professional world. By instilling the importance of math and science upon the students, they are able to gain insight and knowledge on the modern day applications of each subject.
This inevitably allows students to come out of school as experts, having made great advancements and discoveries in their respective field.
China in Research and Development Space
Innovations in life sciences, particularly in the development of drugs and treatments, is further testament to the great strides taken by China in the math and science field. In the past decades, there has been increased support from the government in research and development activities (Xiao, Li, & Cao, 2019). Chinese researchers have since made great strides in the field, producing groundbreaking discoveries in drug development, medical treatments, and more.
The amount of investment the nation has made in research and development alone is proof of their commitment to producing world class scientific and mathematical research.
Quality of Teaching and Learning
Aside from the focus on STEM education and investment in research and development, the quality of teaching and learning in China is also notably high. This is due to the fact that teachers are provided with the necessary resources and adequate training (Lui & He, 2018). Teachers are then able to successfully help their students in understanding math and science.
Furthermore, they are also able to provide solutions to difficult problems as well as offer advice to their students when needed. With teachers providing their students with the necessary support, students are then able to master the various theories and concepts related to their fields of study.
Examination-Oriented Education System
China adopts an examination-oriented education system, wherein academic success is largely dependent on how well a student does in his or her exams. This system reinforces the importance of understanding the curricular content and being able to apply it during the examinations (Field, 2018). As such, students put in greater effort in gaining knowledge and understanding.
With lecture notes in hand, students are then able to further understand the topics that they are being taught while also reinforcing the importance of mastering the subject areas. This allows students to develop their problem-solving skills, an invaluable asset in any career, yet useful asset when it comes to math and science in particular.
Technology-Assisted Learning
Finally, China has also taken steps to advance their education system through technology-assisted learning. Educational institutions work to introduce relevant software and apps that students can then use to facilitate their studies (Wu & Wang, 2016). These technology tools are then used in order to make learning more interesting and meaningful for students.
With these tools, students are then able to learn more and apply it in the class. These apps and software also helps to generate data which is then used in order to further enhance their study experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, China has consistently been one of the top performing countries in terms of math and science. This is due to various reasons, such as the nation’s focus on STEM education, investment in research and development, quality of teaching, an examination-oriented education system, and the use of technology-assisted learning. In order for China to maintain its high ranking in math and science, it is important for the nation to continue focusing on these factors to further enhance the educational experiences of their students.