Moroccan student Aya Akrajout has been awarded the title of "African Mathematics Queen" and received a gold medal alongside the Moroccan team, which took first place this year, at the African Mathematics Olympiad 2021. The Moroccan team, comprised of six students (three girls and three boys) from public high schools, achieved remarkable success at the 28th edition of the International Mathematics Contest held virtually in Tunisia on May 23 and 24, 2021, with the participation of 11 African countries. The Moroccan team won two gold medals and four silver medals, finishing in first place with a total of 178 points, surpassing South Africa, which came second with 151 points, and Tunisia with 113 points.
Regarding this achievement, Aya Akrajout's father, Adnan Akrajout, stated in an interview with Sky News Arabia, that it is "the result of tremendous efforts by these students, the educational staff, and the ministry, and a pride for the Moroccan public education system, which continues to deliver impressive results when given the necessary care and support." Adnan, a mathematics teacher in Beni Mellal for over 20 years, expressed his pride in his daughter Aya's title, stating that she worked hard and deserved it, especially since she has been passionate about mathematics since she was young and seizes every opportunity to participate in national competitions.
As Aya, who is 16 years old, is preparing for her Moroccan baccalaureate exams, Sky News Arabia could not obtain a statement from her, relying instead on her father, who explained that his daughter is not the only talent in Morocco or even in Beni Mellal, as there are many children with great abilities who simply need the right support to shine. He added that "if we plant goodness, we will certainly reap goodness, and if we neglect our children and do not develop their talents, they will be at risk of losing their potential or being exploited negatively."
Adnan Akrajout, who previously founded an association for mathematics teachers in the city of Guelmim, where he taught before establishing "Mathematics Morocco" with a group of teachers, hopes that his daughter Aya will represent Morocco in the global mathematics olympiad and that her abilities will benefit the country. He also hopes that all promising talents will receive attention, support, and encouragement.
Alongside Aya Akrajout from Hassan II High School in Beni Mellal, who received a gold medal and the title "African Mathematics Queen 2021," student Youssef Bouhtouch from Ben Guerrir Excellence High School in Marrakech-Safi region also won a gold medal. Silver medals were awarded to Mohamed Ayoub Mbatoul from Al Mamounia High School in Fez-Meknes region, Adam Kharraz from Knowledge Sheaves High School in Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region, Hiba Benabou from Abdel Karim Al Khattabi High School in the Eastern region, and Asma Hibat Allah from Ben Guerrir Excellence High School in Marrakech-Safi region, according to a statement from the Moroccan Ministry of National Education.
It is worth noting that Aya Akrajout has previously won many awards and medals, having represented the Regional Academy for Education and Training in Beni Mellal-Khenifra region. She won a gold medal at the second Arab Mathematics Olympiad, which was held online last year under the supervision of the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science, and the local committee in Cairo.
The success of these Moroccan students is attributed to the efforts of a group of Moroccan teachers who founded "Mathematics Morocco," who established a website and social media accounts, and who organize competitions and training camps for students annually. Aya and other students have benefited from these training programs.
This achievement has been celebrated by social media users, who view it as a restoration of the reputation of Morocco's public education system, which often faces criticism, sometimes described as barren, despite the fact that the top scorers in the Moroccan baccalaureate exams typically come from public schools rather than private ones. Therefore, voices have risen saying: "Do not neglect the education of children from the people, for they are relied upon to build Morocco's future... and they are the greatest strategic treasure that Morocco can depend on for progress and development, as evidenced by Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and the other Asian tigers."
