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.
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