By the time the Menengai High School mathematics and physics teacher concluded his Guinness World Record attempt for the longest mathematics lesson, he had not only surpassed the previous record of 31 hours but had also fulfilled a personal mission: proving that mathematics is not the intimidating subject many learners believe it to be.

As a teacher said he wanted to demystify the concept around mathematics when he realize that many learners have an unexplainable fear towards mathematics.

"Our slogan throughout this attempt was that mathematics is not a monster. It is something that you learn gradually and continue improving through practice." he said

The journey to 45 hours began after Maloba first submitted his application to Guinness World Records in 2025 before embarking on months of preparation.

An initial attempt planned for January 2026 had to be postponed after organisers realized they needed approvals from the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), the Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Rather than abandon the dream, he and his team secured the required approvals and shifted the attempt to June.

Behind the record stood a team of nearly 30 people handling every detail all from logistics and documentation to nutrition, medical care and psychological support.

"They made sure everything was in place so that all I had to focus on was teaching," he said.

The teaching itself followed strict Guinness World Records guidelines.

Beginning at exactly 8 am on Friday, Maloba taught through 12 four-hour sessions, earning only 20 minutes of accumulated break time after every session. During those breaks he ate, freshened up and underwent medical checks before returning to the classroom.

Each lesson required at least ten learners to remain present at all times, with organisers carefully rotating participants to ensure the minimum attendance was maintained throughout the 45-hour challenge.

The first 12 hours passed comfortably.

Students and teachers celebrate with Maths and physics teacher, Fenwick Maloba, after breaking the Guinness World Record

"The energy levels were high and I didn't feel fatigued," he recalled.

But as night wore on, exhaustion gradually set in.

The greatest test came between the 38th and 40th hour, when both his body and mind reached their limits.

"My legs didn't have energy. My hands didn't have energy. Mentally, I was exhausted, and my throat had become sore from talking continuously," he said.

Medical checks showed his blood pressure had risen slightly before the final session, but after guidance from the medical team and encouragement from colleagues, he pressed on.

"I could have given up, but every time I took a break, the team reminded me how far we had come. That gave me the strength to continue."

As the lesson passed the previous world record of 31 hours, the atmosphere in the classroom changed.

Teachers, friends and supporters counted down the remaining hours, while more people joined the final session to witness history.

"When we reached the last few minutes, everyone knew we had made it. People stood up and started cheering because they knew we were about to cross the finish line."

Ironically, Maloba says the fatigue disappeared the moment he completed the challenge.

"There was so much joy in the room that I no longer felt tired. We celebrated together before I later went to hospital for a medical check-up."

While many would consider the feat a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, Maloba insists it is only the beginning.

His long-term vision is to establish an online mathematics school where learners from across the country can access quality instruction designed to remove the fear often associated with the subject.

"We want learners to leave believing that mathematics is not difficult. We are looking for partners who can help us build that virtual school."

And if teaching for 45 hours sounds unimaginable, Maloba is already thinking beyond it.

"We might just go higher and attempt 100 hours," he said with a smile.

A teacher's 45-hour maths lesson becomes a national inspiration

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Leleti Jassor