The ceremony paid tribute to Grade Three learners from different schools within the Ekurhuleni South District, who did well in mental mathematics.
These learners took on various challenges in mental mathematics in schools at circuit level.
About 19 000 Grade Three learners in Ekurhuleni South wrote mathematics test without having resources in their hands and only 17 of these learners passed with flying colours.
Three of the 17 will be chosen to represent the district at provincial level.
Olivia Mashego, an Ekurhuleni South District official, congratulated children who managed to achieve academic excellence.
“We are here to celebrate the gifts that God gave to these learners, and to also thank teachers for their good work, because they are the ones who instil this knowledge into these pupils,” she said.
“Our aim with these awards is to reward learners for their good work and to promote mathematics to the learners.”
Busisiwe Nkosi, Deputy Curriculum Education Specialist (DCES), urged parents to help their children with mathematics.
“When their dad is doing the garden, just ask the child how many litres Dad needs in order to fill the garden with water.
“Also, when doing shopping, make your child count, to keep his or her brain active with numbers,” said Nkosi.
Educators were not left in the dark, and 15 teachers were recognised by being presented with certificates.
Alida van Krieken, the mother of Concordia Primary School learner Bernard van Krieken, who took first position and was crowned the Outstanding Learner, said: “I’m very proud of my child, I practise maths with him every day for at least 20 minutes.”
She urged parents to get involved with their children’s school work.
