Entries invited for maths competitions

IT IS that time of the year when pupils can enter two of the country’s premium maths competitions. The South African Mathematics Foundation announced that teachers nationwide can now register pupils.

The Nestle Nespray South African Mathematics Challenge is open to all Grade 4 to 7 pupils, and the Old Mutual South African Mathematics Olympiad, co-sponsored by the South African Institute for Chartered Accountants (Saica), welcomes all those in Grades 8 to 12.

Both contests are open to all schools in South Africa and neighbouring countries. Schools that rely wholly on the government for funding (known as Quintile 1 and 2 schools) can register pupils free of charge. Quintile 3, 4 and 5 schools and private schools pay a nominal registration fee.

For the first time, registrations and payments can be done online and entrants will have the option to write the first rounds of both competitions online.

Celiwe Ross, human capital director at Old Mutual, said they were proud of their initiatives to strengthen maths education among the youth.

Robert Zwane, from Saica, said one of the biggest challenges South Africa faced was that the education system did not produce enough school-leavers with acceptable levels of mathematical proficiency to alleviate the country’s dire skills shortage.

Parents who want to register their children should contact their maths teacher. | Velani Ludidi