‘Use mathematics to unlock doors’

Arron Nyamayaro

MATHEMATICS should not be viewed as a difficult subject, but a gateway to opportunity, innovation and socio-economic transformation, Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Moses Mhike, has said.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe Mathematics Olympiad Awards Ceremony in Harare recently, Mr Mhike reiterated the importance of Mathematics in shaping the future of learners.

In a speech read on his behalf by Mr Innocent Chishumba, the Ministry’s Director of Secondary Education, Mr Mhike said programmes such as the Mathematics Olympiad align with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the Heritage-Based Curriculum.

Both initiatives aim to produce competent, innovative and patriotic citizens capable of driving the nation’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda.

He said Mathematics, as the foundation of science, technology and innovation, lies at the heart of this transformation.

Mr Mhike commended the Zimbabwe Mathematics Development Project in the Department of Mathematics and Computational Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe for their commitment to advancing mathematical excellence in education.

Mr Mhike also expressed gratitude to Old Mutual Zimbabwe for their long-standing partnership and generous sponsorship, which has sustained the competition for over four decades.

The learners were praised for demonstrating passion, discipline and brilliance in the competition.

“Your collective efforts continue to raise the flag of Zimbabwe high,” he remarked.

“This initiative not only celebrates academic achievement, but also showcases how collaboration between Government, academia and the private sector can drive meaningful progress.”

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company Zimbabwe managing director, Ms Rutendo Magorimbo, noted that many Olympiad participants had become leading engineers, scientists and innovators.