A 35-year-old teacher from Nakuru aims to set a Guinness World Record for the longest mathematics lesson, targeting 45 hours.
Fenwick Cyril Maloba, a mathematics and physics teacher at Menengai High School, is set to begin the challenge on January 30 at 8 a.m. and hopes to conclude it on Sunday at 5 a.m.
He aims to dispel the belief that mathematics is a difficult subject. To support this goal, he has titled the challenge “Math Is Not a Monster.”
The record attempt will take place in one of Menengai’s laboratories, which is well lit and has two doors to allow learners to move in and out without disrupting the lessons.
Although the challenge allows a five-minute break after every hour, Maloba plans to teach continuously for four hours and then take a combined 20-minute break. He has divided his lessons into 12 blocks, consisting mainly of Form Three and Form Four students.
According to GWR guidelines, Maloba must have at least 10 learners present during each one-hour lesson. However, he has chosen to have 15 students so that if one needs to take a break, the minimum threshold is still met. Every 50 minutes, a new group of learners will enter and join the existing class. Once the new learners are settled, those who have completed their session will leave. This process will ensure that the class is never empty.
The tutor has assembled a team of 10 people to coordinate and oversee different aspects of the challenge to facilitate a smooth flow of activities. One team member will ensure that learners, especially boarders, wake up on time and arrive promptly for both day and night lessons.
Observers will also be present to fill out GWR log sheets, recording transition times, breaks, and the specific lessons taught each hour. Maloba must not repeat any lesson.
The current world record for the longest mathematics lesson is held by Susan Akanbi Kazeem of Nigeria, who taught for 31 hours, 42 minutes, and 54 seconds.
The challenge comes just a week after GWR ratified Truphena Muthoni’s 72-hour tree-hugging marathon.
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