250 delegates attend this year’s National Mathematics Congress

The 12th National Mathematics Congress commenced on Tuesday (16 May) at the school hall of the Namib High School at Swakopmund. Close to 250 delegates from all regions in Namibia attended the event which is part of the Ministry of Education’s annual professional development program for mathematics teachers. The congress concluded yesterday [18 May].
Once again special guests have been invited for congress. These included Professor Mike Askew (Wits University), Dr Lyn Webb (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University), Dr Sharon McAuliffe (Cape Peninsula University of Technology), Dr Barbara Peters (UNAM) and Ms Lauren Izaaks (Casino Calculators Trainer). In addition, 15 local presenters have been invited.
The annual congress was founded by Edda Bohn, director of Programs and Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, as well as Magret Courtney-Clarke, former principal and now Orison Educational Services.
The National Mathematics Congress acknowledges the teacher as a practicing professional and encourages broader networking of mathematics educators at all levels and has become an annual event on the calendar of the Ministry of Education. The First National Mathematics Congress was held in 2006 with 140 participants. Since then the National Mathematics Congress has been held successfully every year with between 220 and 300 participants.
The delegates attending the event include classroom teachers from primary schools and secondary schools, university and college lecturers as well as officials from NIED and the Ministry of Education. Academic Papers are delivered by professionals from UNAM, the Directorate of National Examinations and Assessment (DNEA) and National Institute for Educational Development (NIED) as well as advisory and classroom teachers. The congress addresses a need in the professional growth of teachers and that the congress benefits include better delivery methods in the classrooms.
The overall aims of holding the annual event are to utilise professional interaction for critical reflection on the state of Mathematics education in Namibia. Furthermore, the congress aims to bring mathematics educators from different phases to enhance the professional development of mathematics teachers and to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics through capacity building.