Sami Al-Otaibi, director-general of education in the Eastern Province, expressed pride in the winning students’ achievement, and said that educators in the region worked diligently to provide comprehensive training and enrichment paths for local students.

The competition is held in more than 70 countries worldwide and targets more than 6 million students from the third primary to the third secondary grade.

Al-Otaibi said that the competition gives Saudi students a chance to master knowledge in mathematics, develop mathematical skills and gain the ability to solve arithmetic problems in a fun learning environment.

He attributed the achievement to the government’s investment in its children and unparalleled support for the education sector.

In partnership with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, known as “Mawhiba,” the competition strives to build a generation that is competitive globally and contributes to achieving the aspirations of the Kingdom in light of Vision 2030.

According to Mawhiba, a nonprofit endowment organization, the purpose of the competition is to “encourage students to master knowledge in mathematics by developing mathematical skills; applying mathematical concepts and relating them to their daily lives and providing a stimulating and enjoyable learning environment for teaching mathematics.”

In October 2016, the Kingdom’s membership of the Kangaroo Math Contest organization was unanimously approved in the last meeting held in Ukraine.

​Competition questions are chosen by the International Math Kangaroo Committee and are based on a multi-choice questions.

Students can take the test in Arabic or English, divided according to their classes, and both Saudi nationals and residents can compete.