TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Forty-eight countries have sent their representatives to participate in the 13th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), which will be here from December 2 to 11, 2016.

"This is the best time for us, as we host the 13th IJSO," Director General of Elementary and Intermediate Education of the Education and Culture Minister Hamid Muhammad said, during the opening of the Science Olympiad, on Saturday.

This year, the IJSO is themed "Science for Creative Innovation."

IJSO has been established in recognition of the significance of Natural Sciences in the general education of young people and in all aspects of their lives.

It is a purely an educational event. The Junior Science Olympiad, which was held for the first time in 2004, is organized annually.

The event is a general science competition.

The IJSO syllabus is therefore not strictly divided into the disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics but rather intends to highlight basic general concepts in science.

This conceptual approach is also meant to encourage the development of problems of interdisciplinary content and relevance.

The 48 countries have sent 279 students, eight visitors, 25 observers, five executive members, and companions.

IJSO President Paresh K Joshi has expressed his gratitude to Indonesia for taking over the implementation of the 13th IJSO, which was initially to be held in Cambodia. Cambodia, however, cancelled its plan to hold the competition.

The 12th IJSO was held in South Korea, and the 14th IJSO will be organized in the Netherlands.

The IJSO is a competition in science for students who are 15 years or younger, which will be held on December 31 of the competition year. It aims to promote interest in science among school students, exposing them to problem solving, critical thinking and experimentation skills. Over the years, the event aims to positively impact science and mathematics education at school level.

The competition is held in the first week of December every year in different countries. Currently, around 50 member countries participate in the event every year.

ANTARA