South African Computer Olympiad
The South African Computer Olympiad is one of the oldest in the world. It started in 1984 when a group of teachers approached Old Mutual for sponsorship. It became a project of the Computer Society of South Africa – funded by Old Mutual for the next 20 years.
For the first two years, participation was less than 100 but when a two-round format was introduced in 1986, participation went over 1,000 immediately. By 1990 the Olympiad had 2,000 participants per year and was the biggest event of its kind in the world. By 2003 participation had grown to over 3,000 but very few from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
To cater for a wider audience, a new First Round was introduced and participation again increased; to more than 11,000 in 2003, 13,000 in 2004 and 15,000 in 2005.
Concerned that many learners waited to grade 11 or 12 before taking part in the Computer Olympiad, when it would be too late to make the right subject choices, a Junior division was introduced in 2006. Numbers again shot up immediately; to 32,000 in 2006 and 34,000 in 2007.
Currently the South African Computer Olympiad is still one of the biggest events of its kind in the world, and the only programming competition for school-age learners offered nationally. Standard Bank is the main sponsor, and the Olympiad receives further support from Mark Shuttleworth and the University of Cape Town.
South African Computer Olympiad Participation Since 1984
Computer Olympiad Participation Since 1984
|
FIRST ROUND: |
SECOND ROUND: |
Year |
Participants |
Centres |
Participants |
Centres |
|
|
|
|
|
1984 |
70 |
35 |
|
|
1985 |
75 |
37 |
|
|
1986 |
61 |
41 |
|
|
1987 |
1,750 |
273 |
|
|
1988 |
1,874 |
207 |
|
|
1989 |
1,781 |
250 |
|
|
1990 |
3,004 |
313 |
|
|
1991 |
2,777 |
323 |
|
|
1992 |
2,681 |
325 |
|
|
1993 |
3,037 |
314 |
|
|
1994 |
3,198 |
355 |
|
|
1995 |
3,488 |
370 |
|
|
1996 |
3,784 |
365 |
|
|
1997 |
4,994 |
391 |
|
|
1998 |
3,832 |
352 |
|
|
1999 |
3,832 |
352 |
|
|
2000 |
3,999 |
350 |
|
|
2001 |
3,315 |
291 |
|
|
2002 |
3,056 |
267 |
|
|
2003 |
11,123 |
397 |
2,409 |
239 * |
2004 |
12,855 |
432 |
2,582 |
248 |
2005 |
15,200 |
405 |
2,575 |
251 |
2006 |
31,926 |
433 |
3,873 |
223 |
2007 |
33,893 |
489 |
3,301 |
214 |
* New format added 2003
International
Worldwide about 100 countries now offer Computer Olympiads or similar competitions to learners. Approximately 80 countries send teams to compete in the annual International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), which is held in a different country every year.
The IOI was started by UNESCO in 1989. In 1992 South Africa was allowed to participate for the first time, and returned with two silver medals. Over the 17 years the South African teams have collected an impressive number of medals: 4 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze. Once a member of the South African team was joint first in the world. This year the team returned from Croatia with two bronze medals
