1. The South African Mathematics Challenge for Grades 4 to 7 learners is organised by the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) in collaboration with the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) and is sponsored by the SASOL Foundation.

2. The Challenge is intended as a vehicle to popularise Mathematics and to enhance the quality of teaching and learning of Mathematics. The Challenge is not a scholastic test, but tests conceptual knowledge, the application of knowledge in new situations, problem solving and general mathematical thinking, supporting our new curriculum to help South Africans become empowered independent critical and creative thinkers. And we believe Mathematics is accessible to all, not just the select few. In 2015 the Western Cape had more than 4 000 learners taking part in the First Round of the SA Mathematics Challenge, the most participants in the country! The current structures will be confirmed by subject advisers, who will also communicate with schools within their district.

3. There are two categories of participation of learners: Confident learners may prefer to participate as individuals (singles), whilst others may prefer to work in pairs (doubles).

4. The First Round: 09 - 13 May 2016

  • Schools were informed by their districts during the month of April regarding the logistics for the First Round that is being written in the week of 09 - 13 May 2016.
5. Preparing for the Final Round: Wednesday, 27 July 2016

  • Educators complete the First Round Statistics form and Final Round Registration form and send it to their cluster/circuit/regional organiser who will liaise with SAMF. Subject advisers must be copied in all emails please. Entries should reach SAMF no later than 25 May 2016 to enable them to organise the Final Round. Please send the Final Round form for the records of SAMF, even if the school is not going to participate in the Final Round.
  • Learners scoring at least 50% (10 or more out of 20) in the First Round qualify to participate in the Final Round.
  • The Final Round is written on 27 July 2016 at a central venue in each region. The cluster/circuit/regional organiser arranges the venue and the invigilation and will inform participating schools of arrangements for the Final Round by 24 June 2016 - provided he/she has your First Round Statistics form and Final Round Registration form.
  • The Final Round papers and specially designed answer sheet will be printed by SAMF and distributed by courier to all schools who have registered for the Final Round. No marking is required.
  • The completed answer sheets will be collected by the courier company and electronically marked by SAMF.
  • Only schools that have registered for the Final Round (i.e. submitted their forms and paid the entry fee of R10 per learner) on time will be allowed to participate.
6. We trust that learners and educators will enjoy the Challenge and benefit from it. More details about the Challenge, including free past papers, are available on the internet at www.samf.ac.za and www.amesa.org.za/Challenge/Index.htm

7. The Western Cape Education Department appreciates the extra efforts of our educators to offer learners the opportunity to take part in this annual Mathematics Challenge. Your support contributed to the highest recording of the number of learners in the country writing the First Round in 2014 and 2015.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2016:05:04