Tuesday 15 November 2016

MATHS - DAR PUPILS SHINE IN SRI LANKA



By Robert Okanda
Seven Dar es Salaam-based pupils have performed well in the 16th edition of Smart Intellectual Programme (SIP) International Prodigy Abacus and Mental Arithmetic competition, held on October 9th in Colombo Sri Lanka.
The elite competition attracted six countries across the world, whereby Tanzania participated for the third time and was represented by the seven pupils from Aga Khan Mzizima Primary, Dar es Salaam International Academy (DIA), Aga Khan Primary, International School of Tanganyika (IST), Indian School, French School and Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School.

Speaking to the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam, Rising Star Academy (RSA) Director of Operations in Tanzania, Ms Sapnna Bhattbhatt, whose organisation supported the trip, said that there were about 1500 pupils from different countries across the world and Tanzanian pupils managed to scoop awards in one group.
She named the pupil who won the price in under-8 -age category as Mehak Desai in level 3, from Dar es Salaam International Academy, while other participants got medals.
Other participants were Aaditya Bhattbhatt (IST), Prajwal Sinha (Aga Khan Primary), Pratham Virani and Vaibhavi Sadguru (Indian School), Treasure Beda from French School and Devan Borkhataria (Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School).
"The competition of SIP Abacus and Brain Gym programme helps in enhancing one's confidence in calculation, develops mental calculation, develops right brain tremendously, concentration, focus and removes the phobia of numbers, improves auditory and observations skills," said Ms Bhattbhatt.
Moreover, she noted that Abacus is a Chinese instrument used for mathematical calculation. All arithmetic calculations can be done on this instrument like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals and square roots.
The research has clearly shown that an abacus based education enhances progress in a wide variety of abilities and skills. SIP academy incorporates both brain exercises and a unique multiple intelligence approach to enhance children's overall mental development. Through focused learning exercise, the child extends his or her brain to discover hidden talent and skill in a most enjoyable manner.
SIP Abacus learning is time tested, proven methodology. Child friendly utilising motivating contents to develop children's self-esteem, self-worth and personal confidence. She also underscored the need for parents to send their children to Rising Star Academy to receive Abacus and Brain Gym training, thus spurring their mental health. "The programme helps in brain development and balances two brains together.
So far we are planning to get this programme for the local children. It is very helpful as it removes the phobia of number. For most of us mathematics is a difficult subject and once the fear of numbers goes you can do wonders," she insisted.
According to Ms Bhattbhatt the Academy has trained more than 600 pupils since its establishment in Tanzania six years ago, where Tanzanian kids have participated three times in the SIP International competitions.
She also added that one cannot escape numbers, in any field of life, wherever you go, there are numbers. For example what is money? It's numbers. 1,000 Tanzanian Shillings. What is it? You go for shopping and buy fruits for 5,850 Tanzanian shillings.
If you don't know how to calculate, you can be easily fooled. This is where Abacus helps you, she noted. In an increasingly technology- driven 21st century, can tools of a bygone era still be of use?
It seems so, at least in the case of young, still innocent and impressionable, and inquisitive kids yet to be exposed to the rigours of making a living, she said. "We have special, afterschool- hours training on Brain Gym and Abacus, whereby we effectively train the children's brain.
The programme is very crucial in molding children as it gives them more confidence," she explained, adding that the trip to Colombo was sponsored jointly by the pupil's parents and the RSA.
Believing that each child is unique and has the potential to be a winner and the desire to achieve excellence in academics or in any other walk of life, SIP Tanzania has trained each of these 7 kids to enable them to showcase their mental arithmetic prowess.
The pupils are normally tested on their concentration, confidence, intelligence, speed and accuracy. "The objective of the competition is to develop a competitive spirit amongst these children and motivate them to excel in life," says Rising Star Academy (RSA) director of operations in Tanzania.
With the fear of math out of their way, children surprisingly begin enjoying numbers. The Brain Gym Exercises help children to relax and energise their brains to do new tasks.
It has been seen, that after taking part in this competition, children improve their ability to learn, do their school work faster and have more free time to pursue their respective passions.
The abacus is a palm-sized wooden frame with five sliding rows, a calculating tool that has been in use centuries before the adoption of the written modern numeral system. It is still widely used by merchants, traders and clerks across the globe.
The SIP Abacus programme uses three tools to impact children - Abacus, Brain Gym and Speed Writing. The programme helps children to enjoy numbers, develop their mental skills of concentration, visual memory, listening and builds their self-confidence.
It also incorporates a lot of fun through games and puzzles. The SIP Abacus programme is a skill development programme for children in the age group of 7 to 12 years, and parents with disposable incomes. It focuses on improving essential learning skills.
DAILY NEWS

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