Latest news with #PanAfricanMathematicsOlympiad
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
Mathematics Olympiad: South Africa's Best Ranking
South Africa sets a new record after 25 years Great news for South Africa following the biggest and most important mathematics competition in the world, the International Mathematics Olympiad. The competition, which took place in Australia from 10 July to 20 July, featured high school students from more than 100 countries competing to showcase their mathematical skills. Record-breaking performance by South Africa The South African team managed to finish in position 38 out of 110 countries. This marks the country's best ranking in the last 25 years. First position was claimed by The People's Republic of China, followed by the United States of America and the Republic of Korea. The competition takes place over two days, where each student must solve three tough problems in four and a half hours each day. After the competition, the leaders and teachers double-check all the answers to make sure they are marked fairly and correctly. All students are ranked based on the number of points they score, and then medals are awarded to the top students. When a student does not win a medal but scores seven points on at least one problem, they receive an honourable mention. Results of the South African team Youkyum Kim (Grade 12, Reddam House Durbanville, Cape Town, Western Cape) – Silver Medal Moied Baleg (Grade 12, The Settlers High School, Belville, Western Cape) – Bronze Medal Eli Williams (Grade 11, Westerford High School, Cape Town, Western Cape) – Bronze Medal Pocoyo Pun (Grade 10, Elkanah House, Cape Town, Western Cape) – Bronze Medal Yian Xu (Grade 12, Redhill High School, Sandton, Gauteng) – Bronze Medal Ellen Grant-Smith (Grade 12, Westerford High School, Cape Town, Western Cape) – Honourable Mention ALSO READ: SA pupils grab first place at Pan African Mathematics Olympiad Professor Seithuti Moshokoa, the Executive Director of the South African Mathematics Foundation, expressed how proud she is of the team, 'We're so pleased with how our team did this year. They worked really hard, and this achievement shows just how talented they are.' The team's participation was made possible by Old Mutual South Africa.
The Citizen
24-06-2025
- The Citizen
Safe schools or war zones? Ministers unveil plan to end violence
According to the two ministers, the protocol formalises direct links between schools and their nearest police stations. The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube together with the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu launching the Safe Schools Protocol. Picture: X/@DBE_SA The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and South African Police Service (Saps) launched the revised Safe Schools Protocol on Tuesday, signalling a renewed and urgent effort to curb rampant crime and violence in schools. Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu jointly unveiled the Collaborative Implementation Protocol in Cape Town, pledging to create safer, child-friendly learning environments amid shocking statistics of violence. 'The 2023-24 financial year saw 28 murders in basic education institutions, nearly half in KwaZulu-Natal, with 46% involving pupil-on-pupil violence. Two-thirds of reported rapes also involved pupils as both perpetrator and victim,' explained Gwarube. Mchunu called the protocol a 'shared commitment' and said it was more than just a document. 'For education to thrive, safety must be a given, not a privilege. 'Bullying, drug use, and sexual abuse have become prevalent and are breeding grounds for further criminality,' Mchunu said. Key measures in the protocol According to the two ministers, the protocol formalises direct links between schools and their nearest police stations. Each school is expected to form a functional safety committee that involves representatives from the police, teachers, and the governing body. 'We're introducing school-based crime prevention programmes, visible policing in hotspot areas, and regular safety audits. 'We'll also tighten compliance with laws regulating liquor outlets near schools and improve the vetting of staff,' said Gwarube. ALSO READ: WATCH: Video of pupil allegedly assaulted by KZN police during protest under investigation Five commitments to safer schools Gwarube outlined five key commitments at the heart of the revised protocol: Formal school-police links: Every school will be connected to a local police station, supported by a School Safety Committee comprising the principal, a staff safety officer, an SGB member, and a designated Saps officer. Crime prevention programmes: Schools will roll out in-house education campaigns targeting gender-based violence, bullying, gangsterism, alcohol and drug abuse, and weapons possession. Visible policing: Officers will be deployed around high-risk schools during busy periods like morning arrivals and afternoon dismissals. Victim-friendly spaces: The protocol mandates the creation of victim-friendly rooms and community response forums to better support vulnerable pupils. Staff vetting: All teaching and non-teaching staff will be vetted against the National Register for Sexual Offenders and the Child Protection Register. ALSO READ: SA pupils grab first place at Pan African Mathematics Olympiad Shared responsibility and urgency Both ministers emphasised the need for community involvement. 'Schools cannot do this alone. The police cannot do this alone. Safety is a community effort. We need buy-in from parents, pupils, SGBs, and civil society,' Gwarube stated. Mchunu said the Saps will continue to intensify visibility and integrate its existing Integrated Crime and Violence Prevention Strategy (ICVPS) into school policing efforts: 'Policing is not a one-department responsibility. Parents must be active participants in the fight against crime, starting in their homes. 'We're building capacity at police stations and engaging directly with pupils, especially around gangsterism, bullying and substance abuse,' said Mchunu. ALSO READ: School closes Friday for three-week break: Educational activities to keep kids busy 'Agents of change' In closing, both ministers acknowledged that violence in schools reflects broader societal breakdowns: poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Gwarube called on pupils, teachers and police officers to become agents of change. 'We know the burden [teachers] carry, being extorted in Nelson Mandela Bay, crossing gang-ridden streets in Mannenburg and Gugulethu. We stand with you.' 'Our children will look to you (police officers) not only for protection, but for inspiration. Go out there and protect our schools,' she concluded. NOW READ: Here's how many Gauteng schools damaged by fire have been repaired
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Citizen
SA pupils grab first place at Pan African Mathematics Olympiad
Members of South Africa's team also claimed claimed top individual medals at the maths olympiad. South Africa's team of six pupils impressed at the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) this year. The event was hosted by the Mathematical Association of Botswana at the University of Botswana. The South African team claimed top individual medals and the overall first-place. This year's competition focused on testing the young minds across six problems. These included algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics. SA bags gold, silver and bronze at maths olympiad Countries were ranked by the combined scores of their six contestants. South Africa claimed first place, followed by Tunisia and Côte d'Ivoire. Team South Africa excelled with three gold medalists. They were Erik Senekal (Grade 11, Hoërskool Menlopark), James Prins (Grade 12, South African College High School) and Noah Greenblatt (Grade 11, King David High School). Silver medals were claimed by Olivia Castleden (Grade 9, Somerset College) and Ruth Trimble (Grade 11, Pinelands High School), while WanRu Zhou (Grade 11, Parklands College) took home bonze. In the Girls' Division of the Math Olympiad, Ruth Trimble earned gold. Olivia Castleden took silver and WanRu Zhou got bronze. Prof Seithuthi Moshokoa, Executive Director of the South African Mathematics Foundation, said: 'I am very proud of Team South Africa's achievements. Their dedication, resilience and innovative thinking exemplify our mission to nurture mathematical talent and empower our educators and learners.' ALSO READ: Not adding up: More than 400 schools don't teach Mathematics How it works The award ceremony on 17 June was opened by Professor Karam Aloui, the Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Tunis EI Manar and Executive Secretary of the PAMO committee. 'Our aim is to challenge creativity and rigorous reasoning in equal measure,' Prof Aloui said. Wise words from the winning team Three members of the South African team shared encouraging advice to students who want to take part in the Mathematics Olympiad. Olivia Castleden: 'To people who want to participate in the maths olympiad, I suggest that they just go for it. By just writing the first round, they have already gained valuable experience, even if they don't progress to the next round.' Erik Senekal: 'Always see an opportunity to learn – approach each problem as a chance to discover something new. Write the math olympiad not just to compete, but also to learn and grow through the process.' Noah Greenblatt: 'Curiosity can be very powerful. I encourage young learners to explore ideas and concepts in which they show interest to the fullest extent. Enjoying this exploration is not only fulfilling but can also strengthen creativity and problem-solving ability. Additionally, there is truly no substitute for hard work when it comes to improvement.'
