Preah Sisowath High School’s mathematics champion Pov Kim Se poses with his medals, certificate and calculator. He has claimed five maths medals. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Pov Kim Se – a remarkable 15-year-old student in Grade 9 at Preah Sisowath High School’s New Generation School – has established himself as a standout scholar.
His achievements spanning late 2022 to September this year include securing two gold medals, two silver and one bronze in national maths competitions.
With a gold medal proudly adorning his neck, Kim Se holds a certificate of appreciation – a testament to his exceptional mathematical prowess.
In an interview with The Post, he revealed that his school didn’t initially nominate him for the competition. Instead, he took the initiative to register himself.
He said his previous participation in such competitions led to the formation of a group chat, enabling him to receive timely notifications about upcoming events through instant messaging.
His most recent gold medal was the result of a Grade 9 mathematics competition featuring students from public and private schools nationwide.
In a fiercely competitive field of 211 students, he emerged victorious in a contest that spanned just a single morning. Notably, this competition incorporated the use of calculators from Singapore.
His dedication and exceptional achievements serve as an inspiration to young scholars across Cambodia, highlighting the potential for academic excellence through determination and passion.
“I am delighted to have earned the gold medal. This achievement not only brings honour to me and my parents, but also reflects positively on my school,” he proudly stated.
He mentioned that this gold medal is not his first accomplishment. Previously, he began in late 2022, securing one gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
He recently added another gold medal to his collection, making it a total of five medals. The latest competition occurred on June 25, and the gold medal was conferred on July 8 by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport.
“During the recent competition, I felt a bit nervous because I wasn’t certain what questions would appear on the test. However, drawing on my previous competitive experiences, I knew I could handle it,” he explained.
The young maths prodigy recalled that while organisers supplied calculators for numerical calculations at the recent competition, the primary focus wasn’t on number crunching.
Instead, the emphasis lay on problem-solving abilities, allowing candidates to tackle the challenges using diverse methods.
“I believe it’s highly beneficial since we usually rely on basic calculators,” he said.
Kim Se shared his study methods, which have played a significant role in his remarkable academic journey, and posed a reflective question: “In which areas do I still struggle with in certain subjects?”
Identifying weaknesses for improvement by seeking input from friends or consulting teachers has been instrumental in his progress.
He pinpointed specific subjects that he feels require advanced study before transitioning to higher classes. This preparatory approach allows him to grasp new concepts quickly during classroom lectures.
He also said that on returning from school, he dedicates a minimum of two hours to focused study, eschewing leisure activities because he deems them unproductive.
Sam Kamsann, the vice principal overseeing the New Generation School programme at Preah Sisowath High School, explained that the competition operates under a nationwide framework known as the Mathematical Community.
Students from across the country who believe in their abilities can independently register, as schools do not register students on their behalf.
He said the competition programme is designed as a mathematics contest that incorporates the use of calculators.
Regarding the New Generation School programme, it aligns with the education ministry’s goal of reforming education to enhance student quality.
The programme equips students with high-level competencies, enabling their participation in national and international competitions.
This new approach to learning encompasses studying, researching and engaging in collaborative teamwork, often referred to as constructive learning.
“The teaching method is innovative, the learning approach is progressive, and the incorporation of technology as an educational tool has propelled our students into a frequent engagement with national and international competitions.
“These include contests held in the US, Japan, China, Thailand, South Korea and Australia, occurring almost monthly, resulting in a remarkable track record.
“Each year, our students secure over 500 medals, spanning the categories of gold, silver and bronze, and spanning various subjects in these competitions,” Kamsann stated.
A business manager representing IBC International Bookstore, who preferred to remain anonymous, played a role in coordinating the competition. At the latest event occurred in June, students from Grades 7-11, hailing from private and public schools, participated in the contest.
An impressive turnout of nearly 800 students from all corners of the country joined the competition.
Among the Grade 7 students, one achieved the gold medal, while two earned silver, and three were recognised with bronze.
A similar medal distribution pattern was observed among Grade 11 students.
The programme was organised through a partnership between IBC international bookstore chain and Casio Singapore.
Notably, the second and third-place winners received certificates of appreciation from the ministry, as well as recognition certificates from the sponsors, as well as a T-shirt and helmet.
Kim Se, having taken first-place, got a gold medal, a laptop and certificates of commendation from both the ministry and Casio Singapore.
