Indonesia finishes second in mathematics olympiad

An Indonesian team was ranked second at the mathematics Olympiad held in Durban, South Africa, from July 5 to 10. "Our elementary and junior-high school students were able to grab 14 medals and three merit awards at the 10th World Youth Mathematics Intercity Competition," the director of pre-school and elementary school development of the directorate of management of the ministry of education, Mudjito AK, said here on Saturday.

The Indonesian team won eight bronze medals and three merit awards in the individual contest and one silver and two bronzes in the team contest and three bronzes in the group contest, he said. "We sent three teams consisting of 12 elementary and junior high school students," he said. 

Mudjito said the strongest rival for Indonesia was China who was ranked first in the competition. "They always come out as the overall champion every year. China also has a special school for students who are to join the Olympiad," he said.

The IWYMIC was an annual event for students of young age. He said selection of students to join in the competition was very tight. "In addition to gradual selection participants minimally also have to have participated in a similar competition of an international level before," he said. (ANTARA News)