A total of 40 students from Kabianga Boys High School and Kipsigis Girls High School joined over 700 other students countrywide, who had been selected to participate in the second round of the Kenya Mathematical Olympiad.
The students, who had qualified for the second round of the contest after successfully participating in the first round, exuded confidence that they would make it to the third round of the mathematical Olympiad, having rigorously prepared for the contest.
Speaking to KNA on the sidelines of the contest at Kipsigis Girls High School, the Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) Mathematics Dean, Nancy Wambui Nui, said the contest boosted students’ ability to solve mathematical problems using critical thinking.
Nui also pointed out that CEMASTEA, the University of Nairobi (UoN), and the Centre for Mathematics and Computing (CEMC), in a joint partnership, were advocating for improved performance in Mathematics in Kenyan schools, particularly using problem-solving strategies.
“Mathematical problem-solving methods concentrate on teaching students how to use mathematical ideas and critical thinking abilities to solve real-world situations, and this approach promotes a better grasp of the topic and enables students to comprehend the practical importance of mathematics,” she added.
The Dean noted that in the first round of the Mathematics Olympiad held on the 30th of May 2023, participation was free and open to all secondary schools and students consisting of junior (forms 1 and 2) and Senior (forms 3 and 4) categories to tackle 25 multiple-choice questions for a duration of one hour.
“762 students, including 258 juniors and 504 seniors, made it to the second round of the contest held at regional centres countrywide, with a certificate of participation being offered to all students while a certificate of merit was granted to the top 50 students, who will also be invited to the third round of the contest in September 2023 at CEMASTEA premises,” explained Nui.
The Dean also said that the second round of the contest was more complex and required a deeper understanding of various mathematical concepts, including algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and advanced problem-solving techniques, adding that the use of calculators was not allowed.
The Kenya Mathematical Olympiad second round was conducted in the following centres: 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.
Meanwhile, Kipsigis Girls High School Mathematics Teacher Sammy Tarus said last year one of their students represented Kenya in Morocco, and this year again another student represented the country in Rwanda at the Mathematics Olympiad.
“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.
By Kibe Mburu and Steve Were
