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Students win cash prizes in Math contest
Teachers at a seminar. Professionals in the sector are being encouraged to popularise Math among students. PHOTO BY MICHAEL J. SSALI.
Kampala
Mathematics remains a core foundation subject for learners but it is also one of the most dreaded, especially since it is introduced at a very early age. As a result, many learners develop a bias that affects their future performance even when they might be skilled at the subject.
Mathematicians have tried various means of popularising it and removing the stigma associated with the subject but few initiatives have born meaningful results.
A new initiative in Kampala recently had at least 5,000 students participating in a contest aimed at demystifying the subject. But like has been tradition in educational examinations over years, learners from Kampala and the central region continued to dominate the top performers’ positions. Kampala Parents, Namilyango College, Kings College Budo and Makerere University topped the contest conducted two weeks ago.
The contest, which attracted learners at different levels every year, and is aimed at making Mathematics, a subject shied away from by many, more likeable by popularising it among students. About 6,000 students from 50 districts participated in the contest that was based on sieving out the best that at the final tests had 1,500 being selected.
Star performers
Trevor Muzahura of Kampala Parents School topped the primary section with a 94 per cent score, Walter Nimusiima of Namilyango scored 78 per cent, Kings College Budo had Elvis Luswata (84 per cent) for the secondary category final while Brian Mwesige a Makerere University student pursuing a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering scored 100 per cent.
According to the chairperson Uganda Mathematical Society, Dr Cyrus Ssebugenyi, Mathematics has been a problem to many students who end up hating the subject and affecting their grades. However, he says through the contest, many children are encouraged to participate because it tests their ability and motivates them to do calculations with a wider network.
“The challenge we have in our country is that the Ministry of Education and National Council for Science and Technology have no input yet this is under their docket. If they could give us money on their budget to support some schools that are complaining that they have no resources, like UPE and USE schools, it would assist in improving numerical skills in these areas,” Dr Ssebugenyi said.
Cash prizes
The winners were each handed a cash prize of Shs300,000 but this in the future will not stop at that as Uganda was last week listed on the International Mathematics Olympiad, the sixth in Africa. This means that at least six students who win in Uganda will be sent to compete at an international mathematical contest.
Schools are expected to pay Shs10,000 every year. They have a representation at national competition while the participating individuals pay Shs5,000 per person. However, students who win to join the international contest shall be paid for the air ticket while IMO will meet accommodation and food expenses.
