Philippines Math team gears up for global competitions

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine team composed of Mathematics wizards from public and private schools nationwide has started its preparations for global competitions lined up this year.

In a statement yesterday, the Mathematics Trainers’ Guild Philippines (MTG) said Math athletes or “mathletes” are off to a good start following their medal haul during the pandemic.

“Young Filipino math wizards wrapped up the COVID years on a high note, winning 1,007 gold, 1,655 silver and 2,826 bronze medals in several virtual global contests,” the MTG said.

“The numbers aces from public and private schools nationwide have started suiting up for a number of math tilts this year,” the organization added.

The MTG, a non-government organization that has been guiding young Math wizards since 1995, said selected students are undergoing special lessons and problem-solving training in preparation for the Global Math Competition to be held in Vietnam in June.

The MTG said other global competitions lined up for the Philippine team this year include the Po Leung Kuk Primary Math Contest and World Math Olympiad, both in Hong Kong; India International Math Contest; International Math Competition Singapore (IMCS); Asia Math Olympiad in South Korea; International Math World Challenge in Indonesia, and the International Mathematics Open for Young Achievers 2024.

MTG head Simon Chua said they are confident of the skills of the young students, especially after their stellar performance in the previous years.

Chua noted that the country’s Math athletes were overall champion in the 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018 editions of IMCS, besting China, Taiwan and the host country, Singapore.

Last month, 500 students joined the MTG’s four-day training in Tagaytay City. A workshop was also held in Cebu City.

The MTG said the students have also undergone Math sessions on algebra and geometry as well as problem-solving techniques.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education recently cited the MTG for “helping DepEd fulfill its mandate of providing quality basic education to learners.”

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte lauded the organization for its “commitment and valuable contributions” in the Matatag Agenda for Basic Education Development Plan of DepEd.