Olympiad aims to ‘take the boogie man out of teaching maths’
Pupils from 35 Mitchell’s Plain primary schools are hard at work completing an independent mathematics Olympiad.
The Grades 6 and 7 pupils have to complete a 60- question multiple choice paper within 60- to 90-minutes at their respective schools.
A total of 12 000 pupils, from Mitchell’s Plain, Lansdowne and Athlone are participating in the inaugural Wholesun Math’s Olympiad implemented by Edubiz Media Foundation.
Foundation founder and Olympiad director, Zaida Julius, said it is a comprehensive programme where pupils, teachers and parents are involved to better understand the learning of mathematics.
The Grade 6 paper is based on systemic preparation and the Grade 7 paper addresses problematic areas, which a team of teachers have put together.
These are then moderated by high school mathematics teachers.
Spine View Primary School principal Gavin Elliott said it was about reigniting a love for mathematics and letting the pupils know that they can compete against other schools.
“It is about taking the boogie man out of teaching maths,” he said.
Mr Elliott said the level of pupils matriculating with mathematics has dropped.
“These numbers are dwindling very fast and we as primary schools need to step up, motivate our kids and match their learning to 21st century learning classroom skills,” he said.
He said schools need to help pupils practice, consolidate and encourage the learning of pure mathematics.
“We have to raise the bar and when I leave here (retire) I want to have made a contribution and that would be to encourage the willingness and ability to achieve beyond 40%,” he said.
Mr Elliott encouraged parents to hold on to the love and ability to push their children.
“We need to motivate, inspire and show an interest as adults to support our children and then businesses can be brought on board to incentivise and encourage everyone to do more,” he said.
The pupils write the exam, the parents attend empowerment sessions and the teachers attend interactive teaching training courses.
The pupils are rewarded with certificates and stationery packs.
Each of the participating schools receive a branded Learner Management System, which can be used beyond the mathematics class.
The scripts are captured online, creating an online profile for each pupil.
The pupils can redo the test online after the Olympiad as further exercises.
They will also receive a Parrot product, interactive whiteboard.
Natasha Harris-Brown, head of department for the school’s senior phase, has been liaising with Ms Julius.
“It is crucial that everyone buys into it and we need to grab the tools and opportunities to use different teaching methodologies,” she said.
