THE National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) has launched a training programme for Namibian students selected to represent the country at the 2025 Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO). 

The first Bootcamp took place in Rundu recently, focusing on equipping the top 10 learners from the recent Namibia Mathematics Olympiad (NMO) with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel at the international competition. 

NCRST spokesperson Liz Tashiya said the Namibia Mathematics Olympiad, held from 12-13 September 2024, saw participation from 84 learners across all 14 regions of Namibia. The top performers were selected for this intensive training programme, which will culminate in the selection of the final Namibian team for PAMO 2025. 

“All the 10 learners indicated the training helped them boost their mathematical thinking skills, and they learned new concepts. Learners can see life differently, as they can now apply mathematics in daily life. PAMO training helped them build new relationships and networks as they met new peers from different regions, formed a bond, and associated with new people in a new environment,” she said. 

PAMO is an annual mathematics competition for high school students under 20 years old across the African continent. The boot camp in Rundu marked the first of three planned training sessions aimed at preparing the Namibian team for the challenges of the international competition. 

The final team will consist of six learners (three boys and three girls), who demonstrated exceptional mathematical abilities during the NMO and subsequent training sessions. 

Rundu had a majority of the participants, and everyone was impressed with the participation of the learners. “We are so proud of these learners because the training made some learners always think outside of the box,” Tashiya said. 

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na