Historic achievement for Tanzania as it scoops four bronze medals at Pan African Mathematics Olympiads 2024

Bagamoyo. Tanzania has made significant strides in mathematics after scooping four bronze medals and scoring 37 points during the Pan African Mathematics Olympiads (PAMO) 2024.

The impressive performance was registered during the event, which took place at the Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 10th to 20th, 2024.

The performance marks a historic achievement in the country’s education sector, as it ranks 15th out of 25 participating nations.

Participated countries are Tanzania, South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Uganda, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal, and Zambia.

Others are Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Cameroon, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sudan, Mozambique, and Madagascar.

Tanzania representatives and names of their respective schools in brackets are Ambrose George Rutashobya (Iyunga Technical); Ilham Abdulla Awadh (Feza Secondary Zanzibar); Mwanaarab Said Mbwana (Lumumba Secondary Zanzibar); Stella Ludan Maliti (Marian Girls); and Zacharia Mataiga Mwita (Azania Secondary).

Among the talented youngsters, Ambrose, Stella, and Zacharia each received bronze medals in the overall category, while Stella grabbed a PAMO Girls Medal ‘Queen of Maths.’

Reflecting on her success, Ms Maliti attributed the achievement to relentless practice and unwavering support from her school.

"Consistent learning and encouragement from teachers played a crucial role in my success. It wasn’t easy, but the Marian Girls Secondary School support system smoothens the journey smoother," she said.

Ms Stella’s mathematics teacher, Mr Christian Haule, emphasised the importance of creating a friendly learning environment for students to love the subject.

"Mathematics is not as difficult as perceived. The key lies in how we, as teachers, present the subject to students,” he said.

“Adoption of supportive and approachable teaching methodologies, rather than harshness, increases students's engagement with the subject, therefore enabling them to excel in their endeavours,” he added.

Marian Girls Secondary School head teacher, Ms Constansia Simion, hailed Stella for academic discipline and dedication, highlighting how students’s qualities are key to success.

"Stella's achievement is a result of her strong discipline and rigorous preparation she makes. She participated in online training sessions every Saturday as part of her preparation for the Olympiad,” said the head teacher.

“This consistent effort, combined with her natural talent, played a crucial role in her outstanding performance," she added.

However, the PAMO 2024 results are noteworthy compared to last year's held in Kigali, Rwanda, which saw Tanzania score 10 points without scooping any medal.

The remarkable improvement highlights the Tanzanian students’ potential in mathematics and the impact of a focused and supportive educational approach.

The National Chairperson of the Mathematics Association of Tanzania, Dr Said Sima, who led the PAMO 2024 delegation, said, "This victory is a significant milestone for our country and a testament to talents existing within our students.”

“It is a gift to our nation, especially in the Science, Technology, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. It also opens opportunities for students to further their education at prestigious institutions like Oxford and others," he said.

Furthermore, Dr Sima, who is also a mathematics lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam, said the PAMO 2024 success was not only a victory for participants but also set a beacon of hope for the future of mathematics in the Tanzanian education system.

“It underscores the possibility of excelling in a subject that traditionally has been posing adverse challenges to scores of Tanzanian students,” he said.

As Tanzania continues to invest in the education system, especially STEM subjects, the nation should look forward to even greater achievements on the international stage, according to Dr Sima.