Kenyan Teacher Targets 45-Hour Mathematics Lesson World Record

Menengai High School in Nakuru County has become the focal point of an ambitious global academic feat after mathematics teacher Maloba Fenwick announced plans to break the Guinness World Record for the longest mathematics lesson.

Speaking from the school, Fenwick confirmed he is attempting to surpass the current record of 31 hours by conducting a continuous 45-hour mathematics lesson.

“This is Menengai High School. My name is Maloba Fenwick. I’m breaking the world record for the longest mathematics lesson,” he said, setting the tone for what he described as both a professional and symbolic undertaking.

The lesson, which is in the form of a teaching marathon, aims to tackle deeply embedded fears and misconceptions about mathematics.

Fenwick described how the notion was developed earlier this year as a result of thinking about how mathematics is viewed by learners.

“The motivation behind this demystifies the notion that we have towards math,” he said, emphasizing that the initiative goes beyond personal achievement and aims to reshape attitudes toward the subject.

According to the teacher, the record attempt is anchored on a simple but powerful message.

“The slogan behind the record-breaking is that mathematics is not a monster. It’s a marathon that requires planning, and at the end of the day, it’s doable,” he noted.

Meeting Strict Guinness World Record Requirements

Fenwick disclosed that the process of qualifying for a Guinness World Record in mathematics is highly regulated.

“When you’re breaking a record for mathematics, you need to be a recognized teacher,” he explained.

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Fenwick added that one must be registered by the Teachers Service Commission and actively teaching the subject within an institution.

The idea to attempt the record, he said, emerged around March after confirming that he met all the eligibility criteria.

“You need to be teaching that particular subject that you want to break,” Fenwick added, underlining the professional rigor behind the attempt.

Carefully Planned Teaching Marathon

To manage the physical and mental demands, Fenwick has divided the 45 hours into 12 structured blocks of four hours each.

“After four hours, I have 20 minutes, but I’ll not use all of them,” he said, explaining how he plans to accumulate short breaks to allow time for meals.

“That 30 minutes will be enough for me to take a light meal, like maybe rice and beef,” he added, noting that efficiency and stamina are critical to completing the marathon lesson.

Learner Rotation and Content Rules

One of the strict Guinness requirements is that the classroom must never be empty.

“They give a minimum of 10 learners in class,” Fenwick said.

To comply, the school has organized learners into rotating groups of 15, ensuring continuity throughout the session.

“So that inside, now we have got 30,” he explained, detailing how overlapping groups will prevent gaps while allowing learners to rest.

Each group will also be taught different topics. “Guinness requires that you don’t repeat content,” Fenwick said.

Also Read: Notable Kenyans in the Guinness World Records

Testing Endurance and Student Reactions

Ahead of the main event, Fenwick conducted a 20-hour pre-event session to assess his readiness.

“We were able to do 20 hours just to make sure that I’m fit physically, mentally,” he said.

Students initially struggled to grasp the scale of the challenge.

“In their wildest imagination, they’ve never thought that we can have a lesson of more than two hours,” Fenwick recalled.

While some thought he was joking, he insisted, “It’s a marathon and you can’t sleep,” adding that learners are now eager to witness the historic attempt firsthand.

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