As much as some pupils enjoy spelling bees and being involved in some extra-curriculum activities, some still get tickled by solving equations.
More than 18 000 high school pupils across the country participated in the second round of this year’s South African Mathematics Olympiad.
The quality of South Africa’s maths and science education places it last out of 148 countries, according to a World Economic Forum report.
Under the “skills” sub-category, the quality of South Africa’s maths and science education comes in last place, behind the likes of Haiti, Lesotho, Chad, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Kenya.
The olympiad has been taking place on an annual basis since 1966. This event is organised by the South African Mathematics Foundation, a non-profit organisation established to advance mathematics education through improved quality teaching and learning as well as through public awareness.
Sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Mathematics Olympiad takes place over three rounds and consists of a junior division for grades 8 and 9, and a senior division for grades 10 to 12.
“It is also important to remember that participation in the South African Mathematics Olympiad is not reserved for those clever or nerdy children in school…It is therefore important that we continue to emphasize that mathematics is about thinking and the discovery, as well as the validation of problem-solving methods,” said Nwabisa Mphakalasi, Project Director of Marketing at the institute of chartered accountants.
The University of Johannesburg Metropolitan Academy has been participating in the olympiad for the past 10 years and for the second consecutive year entered all their pupils into the first round. Marietta Westerberg, school principal, said that all pupils in the University of Johannesburg Metropolitan Academy take pure maths up to Matric.
“There is a lot of team motivation among the pupils to take part in the olympiad. The Maths department, headed by Desirée Levendis, constantly encourages the fun element in maths and likes to challenge pupils to stretch themselves and step out of their comfort zones.”
The International Mathematical Olympiad will be hosted from 3 to 13 July. The South African Mathematics Challenge for pupils in grades 4 to 7 will be on 30 July.
