The Abacus: Beauty of new phenomenons

The secret behind Pakistan’s new generation of creative, resourceful students.

ISLAMABAD:

Two ten-year-old students, Ayesha Badhwal and Ali Zain had just cleared two levels of the Smart Brain programme, completing 20 digit sum calculations in a matter of seconds. 

These rapid calculations are the product of a fascinating tool which has a small wooden frame holding parallel rods with a specific number of beads, better known as the abacus.

The device performs arithmetic processes using an ancient technique, ‘Chinese abacus,’ whose roots can be traced as far back as the 2nd century BCE.

Re-introducing this centuries old calculation technique to children is a unique way to enhance their skills and creativity.

With its headquarters in Thailand, Smart Brain, which focuses on the learning capabilities of children aged 6 to 13, operates a master franchise in Pakistan.

While the technique is commonly used in Thai schools, the idea of not being able to refer to the traditional calculator is something new for Pakistani students.

Smart Brain Pakistan CEO Salman Farooq said progress in education was a matter of decades, even centuries.

Farooq said he was enthralled when reading about the technique and visited Thailand to learn more about the phenomenon.

“I knew then that this had to be introduced to Pakistani students,” he said.

Farooq said the abacus increased mental concentration levels which helped students with science subjects in particular.

Smart Brain employee Saba Shaukat said the development included eight levels, each of which lasted a period of three months.

“It’s a life long skill which enhances a child’s resourcefulness,” she said.

Tehzeen Saif, a mother of three, sat proudly in the audience as her children were presented certificates for achieving success in the programme.

Saif said the results of enrolling her children in the programme had exceeded her expectations. “My children have become better at math and theirs grade have improved,” she said.

Chief guest Dr Jamal Nasir said such activities were beneficial for childrens’ mental growth as education was becoming more science-oriented with the passage of time.

A total of 39 students received awards at the ceremony.

The programme, which was launched last summer, has collaborated with three schools in Islamabad, namely Al-Huda International, Elite International School and Colours International School.

Farooq said over 100 students had participated in the programme since its inception, and the demand for places was increasing by the day.

He said the long-term objective was to engage more private schools, starting in the federal capital and gradually moving across the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2013.