Over 1,800 students compete in 2026 MPC Schools Challenge
South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced the winners of the 2026 Monetary Policy Committee Schools Challenge in Pretoria on August 18, 2026. The competition engaged over 1,800 matric students from 366 schools to foster practical economic skills.
Simulating central bank decisions
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Schools Challenge requires matriculants studying both economics and pure mathematics to form four-person teams that replicate the central bank's rate-setting body.
This year, over 1,800 learners representing 366 schools attended national briefing sessions in February and March, with 184 schools submitting essay statements explaining their policy rate decisions.
Ten finalist schools were chosen to present and defend their decisions before a panel of Reserve Bank judges in a televised format two weeks prior to the announcement.
The rigorous marking and moderation process involved senior central bank economists alongside officials from the Department of Basic Education and the Independent Examination Board.
Bridging the mathematics deficit
Governor Lesetja Kganyago highlighted the broader national necessity of financial literacy and STEM skills, warning that declining participation in pure mathematics poses a structural risk to South Africa's future economic leadership.
Quoting former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke's stance that education represents the ultimate investment, Kganyago commended the educators and 10 finalist teams, noting a steady improvement in the analytical rigor of student presentations in recent years.
Inspiring outreach, systemic hurdle
The MPC Challenge offers practical exposure to macroeconomics for high-achieving learners.
Yet, targeted outreach cannot offset South Africa's broader decline in pure mathematics participation.
Without systemic school reforms, such competitions remain inspiring exceptions rather than solutions to a national skills crisis.