A senior four learner in Katakwi district has beaten all odds to become the best in the national mathematics contest in Teso.
Akello Olivia Bridget, a student of St Stephen Secondary School Katakwi, received her results on Wednesday from the Mathematics Society of Uganda, where she was announced as the best in the region, ranking 72nd out of 2856 contestants.
Akello attributes her success to continuous practice of problem-solving in mathematics, crediting her teacher, Samuel Ongodia, for teaching her how to approach complex problems.
She encourages her fellow students to trust themselves and their abilities.
Samuel Ongodia, Akello’s mathematics teacher, shares her enthusiasm, revealing that he has been engaging his students in past papers to equip them with problem-solving skills.
He enthusiastically urges students, especially girls, to embrace mathematics as an essential part of everyday life.
At St. Stephen Secondary School, continuous professional development sessions have empowered teachers to transfer knowledge effectively to their learners, the school’s director of studies, Godfrey Otim, highlights this collaborative approach.
The headteacher, James Engole, proudly confirms that their performance surpassed that of major schools in Uganda, earning Akello a spot to represent Uganda in international competitions like those held in Australia and China.
Although Jayden Mukisa from Light Academy Secondary School, Wakiso, emerged as the overall best student with a score of 75, Akello’s achievement is remarkable.
She outperformed students from top schools in Teso, including Teso College Aloet, Soroti SSS, and Amuria SS.
Akello’s score of 38 secured her position as the best in the region, including Moroto High School and Kangole Girls.
Her teacher, Ongodia, explains that the contest consisted of two papers, with 11 candidates sitting for Paper one and four qualifying for Paper two in St Stephen SS.
Through dedication and hard work, Akello has made her school and community proud, demonstrating that with persistence and the right guidance, anyone can achieve excellence in mathematics.
