The MTAP, otherwise known as the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines is more known as a contest rather than the Math Teachers Association of the Philippines. Once MTAP is heard, that yearly Math competition among elementary and high school students is suddenly brought to mind. The contest actually consists of four phases: Division Eliminations , Division Orals, Regional Finals and the National Finals.
Division Eliminations are first held among the schools in a particular Division or in a City. School Participants from both public & private schools come in triumvirates for a one hour written test consisting of 50 challenging Math problems. Papers are checked within the day and Schools are notified within the week if their candidates would advance in the Division Orals. The two students in the triumvirate who scored the highest , would return in the Division Orals bout. The challenge consists of answering Easy problems within 15 seconds using mental calculation and another round of 30-second and one-minute questions using pen and paper calculation. Only winners in the Grade 6 and 4th year categories would be advised to compete for the Regional, and if they are successful, would see themselves through the National Finals.
Now, MTAP, the “Math contest” is now officially known as MMC (Metrobank MTAP DepEd ) Math Challenge and has its own Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MetrobankMathChallenge. It states in its Profile section that, founded in 1997, it is the biggest and the most widely anticipated Math competition among elementary and secondary students in the Philippines. It is implemented by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) which aims to contribute in improving the quality of Mathematics education in the Philippines. Its mission, according to its Facebook page is specifically, to: a) awaken greater interest in Mathematics among elementary and high school students in both private and public schools all over the country; b) encourage students to strive for excellence in Mathematics; c) encourage mastery of basic mathematical skills; d) discover mathematical talents among elementary and high school students; and e) provide students opportunities in leadership and cooperative undertaking. They have also reaped several awards in their quest for this noble endeavors.
According to Metrobank Foundation executive director Nicanor Torres, said data indicates how public schools are getting at par with their counterpart in the private schools. “In the history of the competition, students from private schools dominate our roster of winners and we are very glad that the results of the 2013 MMC showed a significant achievement among public schools,” Torres expressed. “This is something that we value a lot as an organizer of this math competition, whether you come from a public or private school, you can be a winner through self-discipline, proper training by their coaches, and support from their parents. MMC is designed to enhance the mathematical competencies of Filipino students and we are glad that we are on the right track in achieving this goal,” he continued. (www.philstar.com 2/10/2015)
Mariveles National High School Poblacion, for its part, has never failed to make it to the Division Finals with all year level tandems. The School is proud to say that through the years, MNHS Poblacion has always been a consistent forerunner through both the Division Eliminations and Division Orals, ranking between the range of Top 5 % to Top 10% of the whole Division of Bataan. We are proud that some of our best and brightest students like Kevin V. Robles and Christine Joy V. Reloza, have crossed up to Regional Finals during the times when all year levels are welcome to traverse the National Finals. Today, only the Grade 6 and the 4th year levels are considered to go through the last level of their MTAP -err, MMC journeys.
“ We will continue to train our Math teachers , seek better ways to teach Mathematics and therefore provide competent tutelage to our mathematically intelligent students in order for them to gain more knowledge and mileage in MMC Math Challenge and in such other math contests,” Mr.Quirino G. Barlis, SSP IV, said in a recent LAC session conducted by MNHS Poblacion Math teachers. “As a matter of fact, teaching of Mathematics , through more advanced levels is boosted by our Science, Technology and Engineering Program (S.T.E.P.) sections, going on now in its 4th Batch for SY 2015-2016. Someday, we will be able to ace MMC Math Contests, ” Mr.Barlis continues with a ray of hope and confidence beaming from his smile.
By: Ronaldo V. Tiangco | MT I | MNHS Poblacion
