The Ministry of Education officially launched the sixth edition of the Math Power Contest on Wednesday 19, February. The contest is scheduled to begin with eliminations on March 17, 2020.
Coordinator of the contest, Clement Vital explained that the contest consists of two segments and participating schools will have a maximum of two students and one reserve. Segment One is mental and tests speed and accuracy while Segment Two will focus on problem-solving where students will be allowed to use a pen and paper (Primary level) and a calculator (Secondary level).
Vital explained, “The top twenty-four schools from the eliminations at the primary level will go to the semifinals and the top five will be selected to go to the finals”.
However at the Secondary level, there will be no semi final round as the top five lower and upper high school students will proceed to the finals after eliminations.
Meanwhile, the National Bank of Dominica (NBD), who has been the primary sponsor of the contest has pledged thirty thousand dollars towards the contest. Representative of the bank, Suzanne Joseph Piper said,
“This program is an important one for us and for our young people because math is such a central subject; a good command of math is advantageous in this fast paste technological world”.
The fifth edition of the contest was held in 2016 and Lighthouse Christian Academy won the competition in the Primary school division, while Portsmouth Secondary emerged Lower Secondary champions and St.Mary’s Academy emerged Upper Secondary champions.
