Maldivian students have won top gold awards across all three integrated age categories at the international Young Mathematical Story Authors 2026 competition, marking the first time a single nation has captured the most prestigious prizes. The sweep by the Maldivian students spanned groups aged 4 to 7, 8 to 11, and 12 to 16.
Recognised as the world’s largest annual international event encouraging mathematical exploration through original storybooks, the contest has drawn more than 7,000 students from over 40 countries since 2019. This year, competitors emerged from 34 nations. The Maldives fielded more than 650 students, contributing one of the highest numbers of participants relative to competing countries, an achievement underscoring the deep capabilities of Maldivian students in creative mathematical literacy.
This victory was built upon collaborative efforts involving the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, the National Institute of Education, and the Maldives National University. Joint teacher-training programmes spearheaded by the university and the institute proved crucial, familiarising educators with innovative methods for teaching mathematics through narrative storytelling.
Dr Natthapoj Vincent Trakulphadetkrai, the founder of MathsThroughStories.org, provided technical training designed to enhance the instructional capabilities of Maldivian teachers. These training modules fostered a supportive academic environment, empowering students to establish a lasting foothold on the international stage. Across the island nation, this historic triumph is being celebrated as the definitive dawn of a new, highly creative era in the pedagogy of mathematics.