Youth Care Foundation (YCF) on Monday held the final round of its inter-school mathematics competitions in Great Olympiad Mathematics Competition (GOMC) and the pre-Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), at its office in Churchill’s Town.
The competition consisted of junior and senior secondary schools in Banjul, Kanifing Municipality and the West Coast region.
The objective of the programme was to support outstanding students and to recognise teachers and schools that inspire their excellence.
Speaking at the occasion, Kolapo Abdul, Director of Youth Care Foundation The Gambia, said the competition started with 26 schools in both junior and senior categories.
Director Kolapo disclosed that winners of the Pre-PAMO would later this year represent the country in Abuja, Nigeria.
“Generally, the competition is to bring about the best in students,” he said, adding that the award of medals will also be given to the best three winners.
He said YCF wanted to develop mathematics in society, not only in schools but for parents, stakeholders, and others.
“The competition is not about hand-picking,” he said. He said four winners would represent the country at international level, all of whom, he added, will be engaged in an intensive training before the Abuja contest.
While stating that it was the third time The Gambia would be in the continental show, he hailed the performance of the students.
Director Kolapo expressed delight at what he described as the involvement of many schools. He expressed appreciations to partners, such as the Ministry of Education, especially the Directorate of Science and Technology, Mathematics Teachers Association of the Gambia, as well as the parents.
“What we are doing is to push them to do more in their mathematics education and the teachers have put more efforts leading to improvements in results,” the YCF Director concluded.