The cream of the next generation of
mathematicians, represented by 582 high school students from 109
countries, will converge in Cape Town in July for the 55th International
Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) - the first to be held in Africa.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, briefing journalists in
Cape Town on Tuesday, said South Africa hoped that hosting the
prestigious event would generate enthusiasm around mathematics and help
to inspire the country's future engineers, accountants, doctors,
teachers and inventors."We do believe that it is important for learners to enjoy
mathematics, and this Olympiad gives participants a unique opportunity
to broaden their mathematics horizon and compete against the very best
in the world," Motshekga said. Professor John Webb, the event's director and a lecturer at the
University of Cape Town, said the event would "bring mathematics into
the public eye and highlight the importance of mathematics education in
South Africa's economic and technological development."
Each participating country enters a team of up to six high school
students in the problem-solving contest. The teams sit for up to
four-and-a-half hours a day over two days, tackling six problems
covering areas of maths that are not directly dealt with in schools.
Their solutions are assessed by their team leaders and their marks
are approved in consultation with a team of coordinators appointed by
the host country. A maximum of seven points are awarded per problem. The top half of the contestants are awarded with gold, silver and
bronze medals. All contestants who do not win a medal, but have solved
at least one problem correctly, earn an honourable mention.
The Olympiad will take place at the University of Cape Town from 13
to 12 July. The event is being organised by the SA Mathematics
Foundation, with support from the Department of Basic Education and
sponsors Google, SABC Education, the South African National Roads Agency
and Sasol.
- SAnews.gov.za and SAinfo reporter
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