An after-school math and reading programme was launched at the M.H. Greef Primary School in Windhoek.
The Japanese-funded Kumon Maths Programme aims to contribute to Namibia's future in the development of its industrial human resources, from pre-primary level onwards.
Kumon is a mathematics pilot programme aimed at enhancing learning through self-learning techniques, perseverance, concentration, discipline and time management.
|Khomas Education Inspector Milton ya Otto expressed gratitude over the gesture, saying it will enhance the effectiveness of Namibia's education system.
"Namibia is competing with the SADC region and internationally in the area for the best education system. Therefore, the issue of accelerating education and making sure that schools are fitted with and empowered cannot be emphasised enough. I'm pleased to note that the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports and Culture constantly takes the initiative to ensure that projects like this are done at schools and that the needs of learners are met."
M.H. Greef Primary School Principal George Kandetu said the programme will be very useful in skills enhancement.
"Using their pads and this programme is not only enhancing their mathematical skills. It is also helping them to develop their non-competitive skills, which were witnessed yesterday. One of the questions that enticed me yesterday by the teacher was, 'What are the dos and don'ts that I need?' And their response to them was, 'Don't use your fingers to calculate'. You must use your mind to calculate. So, mental arithmetic is enhanced."
The Ambassador of Japan to Namibia, Asazuma Shinichi, hopes the programme will contribute meaningfully to Namibian scholars and enhance the longstanding relationship between the nations.
"Kumon operates in more than sixty countries around the world and currently has two privately owned after-school learning centres in Namibia. It aims to contribute to the Namibian future for the development of industrial human resources in Namibia, starting at the beginning level," he said.
The programme will run until the end of November.