CEMASTEA Begins Search for 50 Best Mathematicians: Kenya Mathematical Olympiad 2023
Forty students from Kabianga Boys High School and Kipsigis Girls High School participated in the second round of the Kenya Mathematical Olympiad alongside over 700 other students from across the country.
The students, who had qualified for the second round of the competition after participating in the first round with success, were confident that they would advance to the third round of the mathematical Olympiad due to their extensive preparation.
The Mathematics Dean of the Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), Nancy Wambui Nui, told KNA on the margins of the competition at Kipsigis Girls High School that the competition enhanced students‘ ability to solve mathematical problems using critical thinking.
Nui also mentioned that CEMASTEA, the University of Nairobi (UoN), and the Centre for Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) were advocating for boosted performance in mathematics in Kenyan schools, especially through the use of problem-solving strategies, via a partnership.
She added, “Mathematical problem-solving methods focus on teaching students how to use mathematical concepts and critical thinking skills to solve real-world situations, and this approach promotes a better understanding of the topic and enables students to appreciate the practical significance of mathematics.”
In the first round of the Mathematics Olympiad, held on May 30, 2023, participation was free and open to all secondary schools and students in the Junior (forms 1 and 2) and Senior (forms 3 and 4) categories, who had one hour to answer 25 multiple-choice questions.
762 students, including 258 juniors and 504 seniors, advanced to the second phase of the challenge, held at regional centers across the country.
All students received a certificate of participation, while the top 50 students received a certificate of merit and will be invited to the third round of the contest in September 2023 at CEMASTEA.
In addition, the Dean stated that the second round of the competition was more difficult and required a deeper comprehension of numerous mathematical concepts, such as algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and advanced problem-solving techniques, and that calculators were not permitted.
The Kenya Mathematical Olympiad second round was conducted in the following centers: Shimo la Tewa, Garissa, Moi High School Embu, Machakos School, Makueni Boys, Nyeri High, Kianyaga Boys, Alliance Girls, Mangu High, St. Joseph Boys Kitale, Moi Girls High Eldoret, Nakuru High, Kipsigis Girls, Tenwek High School, Butere Girls, Nyangori in Vihiga, Maranda High, Kisumu Boys, St. Albert Girls Ulanda, Lenana School, and Nairobi School.
In the meantime, Kipsigis Girls High School Mathematics Teacher Sammy Tarus reported that one of their students represented Kenya at the Mathematics Olympiad in Morocco last year, and another student represented the country in Rwanda this year.
“The Kenya Mathematics Olympiad has really assisted our girls to improve in mathematics simply because it’s about application questions, and this contest has really encouraged our girls to do well,” added Tarus.
CEMASTEA Begins Search for 50 Best Mathematicians: Kenya Mathematical Olympiad 2023
