Hong Kong students have topped those from 40 countries, coming first in mathematics in the Programme for International Student Assessment. Our students also came third in science and sixth in reading.

The PISA study measures how well 15-year-old students perform as they approach the end of their compulsory education.

Test and background questionnaires were administered to large representative samples of students in more than 40 countries and territories.

Permanent Secretary for Education & Manpower Fanny Law said the great results reaffirm the quality of our education system.

Officiating at the PISA International Conference today, Mrs Law said the results are also a confidence booster that will raise the spirits of educators who are under pressure from rising community expectations.

She said there are strengths in Hong Kong's education system which we must not lose sight of while we strive for continuous improvement.

According to a study, students whose parents spent more on educational resources like desks, calculators, books and quiet places to study performed better than those who bought cellular phones, TVs, computers and cars.

Mrs Law advised parents to think carefully about how their time and money is invested in their children.

Details of the study are available here.