Strategies to Transform Dream into Reality: How can India Participate for Better Performance in Mathematics at Timss?

Abstract

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is established by 
International Associations for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), U.S.A and 
aimed at allowing educational systems worldwide to compare students' educational achievement 
as well as to learn from the experiences of others in designing effective education policy. TIMSS 
has been held every four years since 1995 and it includes a test for grades 4 and 8 in 
Mathematics and Science subjects. India, dreaming of becoming a developed nation in the world, 
has an attitude of not participating at international assessment programmes. Such attitude is not 
only depriving Indian Education System of international quality but is also obstructing the 
transformation process of India from a developing to a developed nation.  
This study is an investigation of three research questions: What is the system of TIMSS in the 
subject of Mathematics? What is the present status of Mathematics Education in India with 
reference to the system of TIMSS? What strategies should India adopt to participate for better 
performance in Mathematics at TIMSS? The study revealed that overall scenario of Mathematics 
Education in India, with reference to the system of TIMSS, is very poor. The study identified 
certain major barriers, such as, lack of linkage of the international assessment norms with the 
Mathematics textbooks, inability of the system to identify and to develop the Mathematical skills 
of the gifted children, lacking of policy international norms as well as parameters in terms of 
achieving global competitiveness, corruption, non-uniform policy in Mathematics Education 
across the country, non professional attitude of teachers, sub-standard provisions for the 
professional development of Mathematics teachers, inefficiency of the monitoring and assessing 
system etc. in achieving the dream of better performance of India at TIMSS. The study suggested 
appropriate strategies in overcoming these barriers.