CM Launches Haryana Maths Olympiad to Boost Student Participation

Concerned about Haryana's minimal presence in mathematical competitions, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has unveiled plans to launch a state-level Mathematics Olympiad. The announcement came during his Budget speech on Monday, where he emphasized the need to cultivate mathematical thinking among students.

"It is a matter of concern that Haryana has negligible representation in Mathematical Olympiads," said CM Saini. "Government school students show little interest in this field and we must change it. If our youth can excel in sports and bring laurels, why not in mathematics?"

Teacher Training Underway

To kickstart the initiative, the Director of Secondary Education has directed the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to organize special training sessions for teachers. These sessions, scheduled from March 20 to 22, will be conducted by national experts who previously trained teachers in Karnal under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. 

Karnal Sets the Example

Karnal district has emerged as a pioneer in this initiative and serves as a model for the statewide expansion. In December, under Additional Deputy Commissioner Yash Jaluka's guidance, a screening test was conducted across all six blocks of the district.

"We had an overwhelming response with around 2,000 students participating in the screening test," said a district education officer. From this pool, 187 students were selected for specialized mathematics training. 

These students are now preparing for the entrance test conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, scheduled for September.

Collaboration with Academicians

Karnal has also set benchmarks in teacher training by collaborating with top academics and experts. The training programs have featured distinguished professionals including IIT Kanpur Professor Alok Kumar, GST Commissioner Jaipur Gaurav Sinha, and SCERT Additional Director Sunil Bajaj.

Bridging the Gap

The Olympiad initiative is designed to bridge the current gap in Haryana's representation at prestigious mathematics competitions. Educational experts believe that systematic training, starting at the district level and progressing to state and national levels, will create a pool of mathematically gifted students.

"Mathematics develops analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable in all aspects of life," noted an education department official.

The Haryana Maths Olympiad is expected to be launched in the coming academic session, with preliminary rounds at school and block levels, followed by district and state finals.