Sharjah Private Schools Achieve Milestones in TIMSS 2023 Assessments

Private schools in Sharjah have achieved exceptional results in the 2023 cycle of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), showcasing their superiority at both national and regional levels. These achievements were highlighted in a global report presented by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) during a results forum held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Education and the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, with the participation of experts and representatives from international educational organizations.
TIMSS is a prestigious international initiative that evaluates student performance in mathematics and science. It serves as a platform for comparing educational standards globally and exploring ways to improve educational outcomes.
The study sample in Sharjah private schools included 5,567 male and female students from grade four, representing 116 schools, and 4,630 male and female students from grade eight, representing 108 schools across all curricula in the Emirate of Sharjah, which use either Arabic or English as the medium of instruction. The results showed a significant progress for Sharjah schools, as they ranked 29th globally in mathematics and 28th globally in science for grade four out of 72 educational systems. The eighth-grade students achieved an impressive accomplishment, ranking 10th globally in mathematics and 13th globally in science.
The results also showed that 51 private schools in the Emirate of Sharjah achieved scores higher than the international average for grade four in mathematics, and 38 schools exceeded the international average in science. Regarding the eighth-grade results, 35 schools achieved scores higher than the international average in both mathematics and science in the TIMSS 2023 study.
The study confirmed that four private schools in Sharjah received the 'Advanced International Benchmark' classification in both science and mathematics for grade four. Additionally, 20 private schools in Sharjah achieved the 'High International Benchmark' classification in mathematics for grade four, while 64 private schools were classified at the 'Intermediate International Benchmark' in science for grade four, and 54 schools were classified at the 'Intermediate International Benchmark' in mathematics for grade eight.
Her Excellency Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA), expressed her pride in the achievements of Sharjah's private schools and extended her congratulations to the schools that participated in these international assessments. She commended the dedicated efforts of the administrative and teaching bodies in private schools, as well as the contributions of students and their families, supported by the Sharjah Private Education Authority, which played a role in achieving this accomplishment. She considered the progress of education in the Emirate to be a result of the continuous support from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Alqasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, may Allah protect him. She emphasized that the advancement of the educational process in the Emirate of Sharjah continues to achieve further successes that elevate the education sector to global standards.
These outstanding results align with SPEA’s vision to enhance educational quality and achieve academic excellence across all institutions in the emirate. SPEA remains committed to developing students’ skills and providing them with a learning environment that adheres to the highest global standards. Through strategic programs and initiatives, SPEA aims to nurture a generation of innovators capable of excelling internationally in science and mathematics, contributing to the UAE’s goals of global innovation and leadership.
This accomplishment represents a significant step forward in realizing Sharjah’s vision as a beacon of education and sustainable development.