Rome: Italy faces significant disparities in mathematics achievement between boys and girls and between the northern and southern regions, as highlighted by the TIMSS 2023 International Mathematics and Science Study, which was published on Wednesday. The study reveals that the country has one of the largest achievement gaps favoring boys in mathematics and science, with a gap of approximately 22 points in the fourth grade and 16 points in the eighth grade.
According to Ansa News Agency, Italy’s overall performance in mathematics and science is slightly below the EU average, yet well above the international average. The report further points out an average difference of 50 points in favor of students from the northern region compared to their southern counterparts. This regional disparity underscores a significant challenge in balancing educational attainment across the country.
On an international scale, boys in year four achieved higher average scores than girls in 40 countries. In contrast, girls outperfo
rmed boys only in South Africa by 29 points, while no significant gender differences were observed in the remaining 17 countries included in the survey. These findings highlight the ongoing global and regional challenges in achieving gender parity in educational outcomes, particularly in STEM fields.
