Modern problems of natural and mathematical education of Ukraine in the context of world comparative researches

Abstract

The article analyses the current state of science and mathematics education in the context of TIMMS and PISA world comparative studies. The peculiarities of their implementation are revealed and Ukraine's participation in it is characterized. It is noted that natural and mathematical education is especially important for the acquisition of natural science and technical knowledge throughout the life of a person. Therefore, the quality of the provision of science and mathematics education is monitored and supervised both nationally and internationally. However, Ukraine's participation in the TIMMS and PISA world comparative studies has revealed a number of problems in the natural-mathematical preparation of the younger generation. These include, in particular, the imperfection of the content of the natural and mathematical disciplines; shortcomings in the professional training of teachers in natural and mathematical disciplines; insufficient level of implementation of competency approach in teaching, etc. The attention is focused on some of the gender aspects of the TIMMS and PISA results. It is stated that the existing gender gap in science and mathematics in Ukraine, which is confirmed by world studies, has a historical predisposition, because for a long time boys and girls had different opportunities to study in the natural and mathematical sphere and further professional formation and self-realization. As a result, it is concluded that to improve the state of science and mathematics education in the context of world comparative studies, Ukraine urgently requires reform of the natural science and mathematics, which should be implemented in the following global areas: adoption by the government of a number of documents on reforming and improving the quality of natural science; centralized provision of schools with equipment necessary for the study of natural sciences and mathematics; improving the quality of teacher preparation for teaching natural sciences and mathematics, aimed at implementing a competence approach in education; development of the legislative basis for the implementation of a gender approach in education aimed at increasing girls' self-esteem, in particular in the study of natural and mathematical sciences; revision of textbooks on science and mathematics on gender identity.