By Deng Ghai Deng
Day Star Academy triumphed in a recent Mathematics contest held in Bor, outperforming three other secondary schools in both junior and senior categories.
The competition, which took place at Alliance High School on Friday, aimed to bolster students’ mathematical skills in preparation for university entrance.
Michael Makuei Ghai, a Mathematics teacher and acting director of studies at Alliance High School, was the principal organizer of the event.
Makuei explained that the contest was designed to motivate students and prepare them for the critical role Mathematics plays in their higher education pursuits.
“Day Star Academy has emerged as the top performer in both categories,” Makuei said. “We have a junior category for Form Three students and a senior category for Form Four students. Day Star scored the highest in both sections. However, it’s worth noting that the overall performance was underwhelming, with no school achieving an average score above 50 percent.”
In the Senior Category, Jacob Leek Ajak from Day Star Academy achieved the highest score with 6 out of 10, followed by Clinton Bior Buol of Alliance High School, who scored 3 out of 10. For the Junior Category, Thiak Kuot Thiak from Day Star Academy led with 4 out of 10, while Nikodemus Abuk Yuang of Amazing Grace High School scored 3 out of 10.
Makuei emphasized the significance of Mathematics, noting its essential role in advancing students’ educational paths.
“Mathematics is a crucial subject that students must master to succeed in higher education. This contest was organized to foster a greater appreciation for Mathematics and to address the overall low performance in this subject across the country,” he said.
The competition featured four participating schools: Alliance High School (the host), Amazing Grace High School, Day Star Academy, and Spotlight High School.
Jacob Nhial Adek, Principal of Amazing Grace High School, highlighted the contest’s role in reshaping students’ attitudes toward Mathematics.
“Contests like these are crucial in changing students’ negative perceptions about subjects involving calculations and in preparing them for national examinations,” Nhial said.
He further addressed the widespread belief that Mathematics is inherently difficult, which he suggested contributes to poor student performance.
“Students often perceive Mathematics as a hard subject, leading them to invest less effort. This negative perception is why many students struggle with Mathematics in exams. I encourage students to overcome these beliefs, dedicate themselves to their studies, and actively engage with their teachers and textbooks,” Nhial added.
Jonglei State, where Bor is located, has a strong reputation for academic excellence. In the 2021/2022 National Secondary School Examination, seven of the top ten students hailed from Jonglei, reflecting the region’s impressive academic achievements.