A new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title in Mathematics now held by Sweden

Yesterday, Wednesday the 18th of November 2015, Mattecentrum, a Swedish non-profit organization together with En Bra Start achieved a new Guinness World Records title for the Largest maths class. 3 611 pupils participated in what now is the world’s largest maths class in Gavlerinken in Gävle, Sweden.Guinness World Records adjudicator Jack Brockbank was on site, and after some careful checking, confirmed that the old record held by Super Bimbel GSC, Indonesia had been beaten by a total of 706 students. The world record attempt was held to raise awareness for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRC, more specifically on the 28th article – a child’s right to education.

”It is fun to put the rights of children and mathematics on the world map by beating a world record on home soil in Gävle and Gavlerinken together with the fantastic Mattecentrum and the students from the county of Gävle. This is the first stage in a long-term project with the schools of Gävle to raise awareness for the rights of children and for CRC”, says Johan Cahling, Vice Club Director of Brynäs IF and Operations Manager for En Bra Start.

“We are delighted that Swedish students have achieved a world record in mathematics. This is a step towards inspiring students that mathematics is both fun and useful. We know that the students have the will to study mathematics and we will continue to work hard to create the best possible conditions so that Swedish students’ knowledge of and confidence in mathematics increases”, explaines Karolina Lisslö, General Secretary of Mattecentrum.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven is also proud of the student’s effort: “By learning mathematics, students are learning the basics of how life on this planet works. Mathematics can make children become the heroes of tomorrow – whether they are building new structures, creating new computer programs or researching new medicine that improves the lives of the people on the planet. You made Sweden proud by breaking this Guinness World Records title today.”

Find pictures from the day of the world record to use in articles here: bit.ly/Mattecentrum_GWR

Press Secretary Mattecentrum: Emma Nyborg emma@mattecentrum.se+46(0)72-547 35 59
Press Secretary Brynäs IF: Catarina Carlsson catarina.carlsson@brynas.se +46(0)73-633 33 40
 

About Mattecentrum

Mattecentrum is a non-profit organization that offers cost-free help in mathematics to children all over Sweden. The organization organises study groups in 27 cities throughout Sweden as well as the online study tool www.matteboken.se. More than 250,000 students use Mattecentrum every month. Mattecentrum’s main sponsors are ABB, Danske Bank, NCC and PwC. Read more on www.mattecentrum.se

About En Bra Start

En Bra Start is a part of Brynäs IF that provides more children with the access to education, as well as play, rest and free time by combining a school environment and enthusiastic leaders together with providing the children with an opportunity to participate in creative and meaningful activities on their home turf. En Bra Start also provides the opportunity for youths to find work experience and eventually help for them to gain full-time employment, enter higher education or to start their own businesses. En Bra Start was developed from the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child who work together with UNICEF and the affiliates of Brynäs If as well as many of it’s close contacts and companies. This work is carried out locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Read more on enbrastart.brynas.se