In the 2006 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study it also came bottom (out of 40 countries), as it did in the 2003 Trends in International Maths and Science Study (out of 48 countries).

2006年的国际阅读素养进展研究中南非(在40个国家中)也名列倒数，这和南非2003年在国际数学和科学趋势研究(TIMSS)中(48个国家中)排名情况相同。

youdao

The global rankings are the result of two studies - the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

BBC: Northern Ireland is 'best in Europe' at primary maths

The IEA is probably best known for its Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), an international large-scale assessment of learning outcomes (ILSA) for primary school learners in science and mathematics, as well as for PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study).

UNESCO: Article on assesment