By James Wakahiu
Photo/Mang’u High School fraternity led by their Chief Principal, John Kuria (2nd right) displays the trophy which they scooped after emerging at the top of the Mang’u National Mathematics Contest Senior Boys Category. Prof Gachuhi Waititu from Jkuat (3rd left) was the Chief Guest. By James Wakahiu
Mang’u High School students bested their colleagues from 60 other schools in a Mathematics competition held at the school last weekend to boost learning of the subject.
Prof Gachuhi Waititu, an associate Professor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) who also chair of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences as well as the Acting head of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, was the chief guest during the 23rd Mang’u National Mathematics Contest.
Gachuhi said Maths permeates all aspects of life, from vegetable and mitumba vendors in local markets to almost all subjects taught at the university level. On curriculum changes, he said the syllabuses have kept changing from colonial times to the present and will change in future as technology and new learning techniques evolve.
The lecturer tipped students to keep practicing until they make perfect and encouraged them to consult their colleagues as well as their teachers. “Students need to know the different topics and the different formulas to apply. They must not shy away from asking their classmates and their teachers whenever they have challenges, then keep practicing what they have been taught,’ he said.
The professor told the students that many people think of Maths as a difficult subject yet it is an important lesson for life. “It gives you ideas on how to analyze situations from different angles or dimensions. Today we are in a campaign mood; all the big political contestants are demanding statistics and data from mathematicians so as to plan their campaigns betters,” he said.
Prof Gachuhi said the medical and engineering fields use lots of data, from statistics to calculus, algebra to numerical analysis. “Archictecture and the building and construction industry as well as computer courses also use Maths extensively,” he said, adding that accounting, finance and business administration careers also use numbers.
Photo/Mang’u High School Deputy Principal, Lawrence Mungai(left) introduces one of the event sponsors, Boniface Murigi, Mku Corporate Services and Communication Director.
Congratulating the coordinators of the contest for organizing the event within a short period, Mang’u High’s chief principal, John Kuria called for all students to remain disciplined for them to succeed academically. ‘We want to change the attitude of our students by encouraging them to do well in the subject which is required on our day –to-day lives. He also thanked the sponsors and pledged to have more of them to boost the event in future.
During the event, Mang’u High students continued to dominate, taking both first and second positions to once again emerge the best boys school in the 24th Mang’u National Mathematics contest held at their school last weekend. Murang’a High took position three. Samuel Njuguna of Nanyuki High was the math’s wizard of the day in the boy’s individual category while Keith Mwangi and Wesly Maikumi, both from Mang’u High, emerged second and third respectively.
In the girls’ category, Mary Hill Girls led Bishop Gatimu and Moi Forces Lanet in scooping the top awards. Anita Jelang’at of Mary Hill topped the individual girls performance followed by Prudence Kimathi of Limuru Girls and Sharleen Maison of Moi Girls Isinya.
Eunice Muthoni, Nelson Kamau and Teresia Wanjiru anchored Dundori Secondary School to clinch the mixed schools tittle. The trio were ranked first, second and third respectively. In this category, Dundori grabbed first and second positions while St Mary’s Yatta finished third.
Joytown Special School scooped the special schools category award. Hilary Ruto, Ezra Mureithi and Evans Mukeku steered their special school to a clean sweep for positions one, two and three respectively. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the competition was last held in 2019.
Mang’u Mathematics Department in 1996 hatched the idea to popularize and demystify Maths within the secondary school setting in the country as well as to help offset the perpetual challenges affecting Mathematics as a core subject, “This need was prompted by the fact that Mathematics is a core subject and continues to be the platform to which many other disciplines are based,” said Herman Maina, the head of the Maths Department at Mang’u High and the coordinator for the event.
Maina said over the years, the contest has provided a forum for interaction and exchange of ideas as well as generating and sustaining interest in Mathematics. “We have also achieved another cardinal goal; change of attitude that only a certain caliber of students can excel in Mathematics,” he added.
The Math’s tutor said the competition has boasted performance of the subject for both individual candidates and nationally. “We have also been able to monitor and evaluate the subject’s curriculum,” he noted.
He thanked the key sponsors of the programme, Mount Kenya University, Zetech University, KCB (Juja branch) and the administration of Mang’u High, among others, for their efforts to mound the future of secondary school students. Mku sponsored certificates that were issued last weekend and the institution, which has sponsored the event over the years, pledged to continue doing so.
Boniface Murigi, Mku Director, Corporate Services and Communication, said that Mku would wish to see a holistic approach to all subjects in order to produce all rounded students. “Varsities and colleges would like to admit students who understand all subjects,” the MKU director said.
Maina encouraged other schools to join the contest in future. “Since we announced the completion, our students have been very busy practicing Mathematics,” Maina said.
A student, Isaac Kirui said Mang’u High is the home of Mathematics. “We always do well in the subject. Our teachers keep pushing as they believe once you are good in the subject, the rest of the subjects are a walk over,” he said.
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