Hard work adds up to a Lucknow trip

WHILE most pupils relax and have fun over the school holidays, a group of 16 will be solving difficult maths equations.

The pupils from KwaZulu-Natal are hoping to bring back gold from the Wizards at Mathematics international competition in Lucknow, northern India, which will be held from October 18 to 22.

The team, whose members are aged 14 and under, will be led by Vishnu Naidoo, the chairman and founder of the Foundation for English, Mathematics, Sciences, Sports and Innovation of South Africa. Joining them on the trip will be 10 parents and teachers from the various schools.

“I’m a maths person, I have a passion for maths and sciences and I’ve been in education for 38 years,” said Naidoo, who has also served on the South African Maths Olympiad Committee.

Pupils who did well in a maths challenge were invited to participate in the Lucknow competition.

Among the schools participating are Umhlali Preparatory, Effingham High School, Arena Park Secondary School in Chatsworth, Isipingo Secondary School and Tongaat Secondary School.

“The important thing about the competition is our standards in curriculums are two years behind,” Naidoo said.

Apollo Secondary pupil Jade Pulvirenti, 14, said going to India was a great opportunity. She said she loved working out angles, expressions and equations, and prepared for the competition by taking extra lessons.

“It won’t be easy because India is ahead of South Africa in its curriculum,” said Pulvirenti.