The NESTLÉ NESPRAY South African Mathematics Challenge, an annual competition for primary school learners organised by the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) was launched at the event.
The Mathematics Challenge aims to empower learners to become independent, creative and critical thinkers who will be able to interpret and critically analyse everyday situations that will allow them to solve problems.
Adedoja Ekeruche, Business Executive Officer for Dairy, Nestlé South Africa, said that Mathematics is important in developing conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, reasoning skills and the ability to apply knowledge in new situations.
“With decades of expertise in nutrition, NESTLÉ NESPRAY plays a supportive role in cognitive development and overall growth of our children. Together with our partner, the South African Mathematics Foundation; and our stakeholders, we are helping to address the critical situation of mathematics performance of our young children. By amplifying the platform, we aim to make mathematics attractive and to make a difference by giving our children the support and opportunity they need to multiply their potential,”
commented Ekeruche.
The objective of the challenge is to support teachers and learners in making mathematics attractive and bring it to the forefront as a subject needed to build a brighter future in South Africa. It promotes teamwork, enthusiasm and helps to develop future leaders and influencers in science, engineering, and marketing sciences across all walks of life.
“As a result of the new sponsorship from Nestlé through the NESTLÉ NESPRAY brand, the administration of the SAMC will be much easier. An exciting new aspect of the SAMC is the learner and teacher workshops that will take place in all 9 provinces. The Primary Teacher Development Course was developed to assist teachers to prepare learners for the SAMC. In addition, the sponsorship by NESTLÉ NESPRAY has made the addition of a third round possible that now allows the NESTLÉ NESPRAY South African Mathematics Challenge to achieve the objectives of popularising mathematics and encouraging mass participation in Round 1. We will also award the achievement of many learners with Certificates of Achievement in Round 2, and identifying, supporting and developing exceptional talent in Round 3 where the students will have the opportunity to be crowned the #1 National NESTLÉ NESPRAY Mathematics Champion at the NESTLÉ NESPRAY Smart Camp,”
said Professor Kerstin Jordaan, Executive Director of SAMF.
Panellists from left to right: Adedoja Ekeruche (Business Executive Officer for Dairy, Nestlé South Africa), Prof Seithuti Moshokoa (Vice Chairperson for SAMF), Kgaogelo Bopape (Scholar), Dr Ntsoaki Meko (Lecturer at University of Bloemfontein), Dr Dephney Mathebula (Lecturer at University of Venda), Ms Sindiswa Mcosana (Chief Education Specialist: Mathematics in the Foundation Phase)
The panel discussion included Kgaogelo Bopape, a Grade 11 Learner and Pan African Mathematics Olympiad gold medal recipient, who is also representing South Africa at the 2019 International Mathematical Olympiad.
The SAMC is a national competition for Grades 4-7 learners in South Africa endorsed by the Department of Basic Education. It is organised by SAMF in collaboration with the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA).
The program has been growing since 1977 and now has approximately 80 000 to 100 000 learners from more than 1 000 schools in SA participating annually.
For more information visit http://www.nestle.com/nespray or http://www.samf.ac.za/en/sa-mathematics-challenge.
