The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) calls on schools in the Free State to register learners for two of the country’s premium mathematics competitions.
Gr. 4 to Gr. 7 learners can compete in the South African Mathematics Challenge, while Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 learners can participate in the South African Mathematics Olympiad.
Schools that rely wholly on the government for funding, known as quintile 1 and 2 schools, can register learners free of charge. Quintile 3, 4 and 5 schools and private schools pay R25 per learner.
Both competitions now have full digital capabilities for the registration and payment processes. Learners will also have the option of completing the first rounds of both competitions online.
Both events are open to schools across South Africa and neighbouring countries.
The competitions are sponsored by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica).
Last year the Free State registered 3 998 learners of 56 schools for the challenge, and 2 545 learners of 56 schools for the olympiad.
According to Robert Zwane, Saica executive for learning, development and national imperatives, the chief objective of the competitions is to address one of the country’s biggest challenges: the education system.
- “The education system is unable to produce enough learners with acceptable levels of mathematical proficiency to support the country’s dire skills shortage in scarce skill careers such as medicine, actuarial science and chartered accountancy.” Parents who want to register their children must contact the school’s mathematics teacher. Entry forms are available on the website samf.ac.za.
Registrations for the olympiad close on 21 February, while entries for the challenge close on 24 February.
Interested parties can send an email to info@samf.ac.za.
For the first time, learners will have the option of completing the first rounds of both competitions online.
