Girls’ math scores now equal boys’

Gender disparities in favor of boys observed in mathematics during the early years of schooling gradually disappear thereafter, according to a new publication from UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report.

This publication calls for deeper reflection on gender inequality and the obstacles that prevent girls from exploiting their potential, says the UN organization.

Entitled Deepening the debate on those who are still being left behind, this annual UNESCO report on gender analyzed data from primary and secondary schools in 120 countries, with the aim of providing an overview , indicates the same source in a press release.

The results indicate that at the start of schooling, boys perform better than girls in mathematics, but that this difference eventually disappears.

This analysis confirms that the learning gap is closing, including in the poorest countries. And in some countries, the trend has even reversed. For example, during the 8th year of schooling (4th grade), girls are ahead of boys in mathematics by 3 points in Cambodia, 1.7 points in Congo, 7 points in Malaysia and 1.4 points in Philippines.

However, the statement notes, discrimination and stereotyping are likely to continue to influence learning outcomes. Even if girls catch up in mathematics at the end of primary and secondary school, boys are much more often overrepresented among the best pupils in this subject, all countries combined.

In middle- and high-income countries, girls perform much better in science at secondary school. Despite this lead, girls remain less likely to choose science careers, indicating that gender bias may be a persistent barrier to pursuing science, technology, engineering and math studies. (STEM).

While girls do well in maths and science, they do even better in reading, with more girls than boys reaching the minimum proficiency level in this area.

“Girls show what they are capable of in school when they have access to education. But many of them, especially the most disadvantaged, do not have the slightest opportunity to learn. We should not fear this potential. We should encourage it and observe its evolution”deplores Malala Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund, quoted in the press release.

” While more data is needed, recent publications have helped paint a near-global picture of gender disparities in learning outcomes just before the pandemic.”notes Manos Antoninis, Director of the Global Education Monitoring Report.