Anita Rachman

Indonesia Takes Gold in Student Math Competition

When it comes to mathematics, Indonesia can hold its own.

A team of 19 Indonesian students was the overall champion at the third Wizards at Mathematics International Competition held last week in Lucknow, India, Sukemi, a top staffer at the Ministry of National Education, said on Monday. The students are bringing home 10 gold medals, nine silver and five bronze.

Sukemi noted that the three-day competition, which wrapped up on Friday, saw teams of elementary schoolchildren from nine countries participating at the event. Nations represented in the contest included the Philippines, Thailand, Zimbabwe and Nepal.

A total of 207 schoolchildren reportedly attended the event.

“This is proof that our students can also compete and are not behind in mathematics,” Sukemi said, adding that considering that the students came from across Indonesia, it could be concluded that “education can be accessed by our students nationwide.”

He said the national team had members from Jakarta, West Java, East Java, North Sumatra, Banten and South Kalimantan, adding that the students came from varying backgrounds including state schools and Islamic schools.

In a previous competition, Indonesia had won only two gold medals, one silver and one bronze for the individual category and just one gold for the teamwork category.

According to its Web site, the competition, also known as Wizmic, is a series of competitions in mathematics that calls for the participation of school children from around the world.

The aim of the series is to unfold a platform for mathematical interaction at elementary level, to provide an opportunity for students to showcase their mathematical talents and to develop consciousness in the schools around the world to brush up their elementary mathematics programs.

Sukemi said that Indonesia should be proud of the students’ achievements, and added that the Education Ministry would “show its appreciation for the students [tonight], when Minister Mohammad Nuh will welcome them home.”

He said that the ministry would also give an “extra award” for the young champions to support their future studies.