The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba) , a leading organization in discovering and nurturing gifted individuals, has announced the "Mawhiba Kangaroo 2026" competition , as part of its strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education. This initiative aims to foster a passion for mathematics among public school students and provide a world-class competitive environment.
Registration details and test dates
Mawhiba clarified that the registration window will remain open until April 7th , allowing students to complete the process through the competition's official website (www.kangarooksa.org) or the Mawhiba mobile application. The official competition tests are scheduled for April 17th and 18th, 2026 , and will be held across all regions of the Kingdom.
Target groups and competition mechanism
The competition targets a wide range of public school students, from the third grade of primary school to the third grade of secondary school. Its structure is based on a multiple-choice system, where participants are divided into different levels corresponding to their grade level, ensuring fairness and objectivity in evaluating the mathematical skills of each age group.
Global context: From Australia to the world
The Kangaroo competition derives its significance from its long history and widespread reach. It originated as a national competition in Australia in 1980, before spreading to France and transforming into a global phenomenon under the umbrella of Kangaroo Without Borders. Today, it is one of the world's largest science competitions, held annually in over 70 countries, with nearly 6 million students participating, making it an international platform for uniting the language of mathematics across the globe.
Strategic objectives and expected impact
The goals of "Kangaroo Mawhiba" extend beyond simply conducting tests; it seeks to achieve a profound educational and developmental impact that aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives for building human capital. Among its most prominent goals are:
- Enhancing mathematical concepts: Encouraging students to master knowledge in mathematics and link its concepts to daily life, thus removing the psychological barrier towards this vital subject.
- Developing thinking skills: Developing students' abilities to solve complex mathematical problems using creative and unconventional methods.
- Discovering early talents: The competition is a key support for other "Mawhiba" programs, as it helps in sorting and discovering outstanding students to nominate them to represent the Kingdom in international forums such as the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Through these competitions, the Kingdom seeks to consolidate its position as a leading country in the field of nurturing the talented, and to provide a stimulating and enjoyable educational environment that contributes to preparing a generation of scientists and innovators capable of competing globally.
