As part of its drive to bridge the visible learning and skills gaps in mathematics among primary and secondary school students in Nigeria, SIP Academy, has launched a global Abacus programme in Lagos Nigeria.
Kelvin Tham, founder, Global SIP Academy while speaking at the launch of SIP Academy Programme in Nigeria, said the programme was created to help overcome gaps in skills and learning capabilities in Arithmetic for students.
The SIP Academy programme will take the children through a step to step learning procedure such that they begin to love mathematics and overcome the fear for numbers.
According to him, “Since most students see numbers as abstract, the beads used by SIP academy in counting substitute numbers in students’ minds. As students follow through our programme, our aim is to ensure students love mathematics and arithmetic.”
Tham disclosed that some of the benefits gotten from SIP academy worldwide include speed writing, character formation, team work, international network, proficiency, curriculum based syllabus, regional and national competition and brain gym exercise amongst others.
Ayo Omotayo, a professor from the Lagos State University, (LASU) while delivering his keynote address, said that less than 30percent of students who write mathematics exams internationally pass, and this has continued to be a challenge.
Omotayo opined that this programme will definitely change the way mathematics is taught in Nigeria and therefore make mathematics easy and interesting for students.
“We must now grab this opportunity and make a difference in the lives of our children. To train rocket scientists in Nigeria, they must know mathematics. This is therefore a time for change and we are happy with this,” he added.
Napoleon Omiunu, managing director, EduCraft said SIP Academy is a franchise from Malaysia and offers a full package of Abacus programme ranging from providing the programme, the materials, the teachers, the examination and the certificates.
Omiunu further said that abacus is a calculator devise that enables children work with speed and precision in mathematics, adding that the programme is receiving wide acceptance already in Nigeria as 21schools in Abuja and Kano states have already registered and will commence the programme in September, 2017.
According to him, “the course will take about eight months, which is equivalent to over two academic sessions and staff across various schools will be trained in the programme, thereby creating employment opportunities in the long run.
He disclosed that the programme is targeting over 350 schools in Lagos State and will soon launch in other states in the country.
KELECHI EWUZIE
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