Accra: Mrs. Hilda Karroum, the Chief Executive Officer of Brainest Educare Limited, has called on the Ministry of Education to integrate abacus learning in government schools to enhance interest in Mathematics at the basic education level. She emphasized that the introduction of abacus would aid pupils in improving their numerical skills, enabling them to visualize and manipulate numbers more effectively.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Karroum made this appeal during an interview at the 2025 World Access Brainest National Abacus Competition held in Accra. The event saw participation from over 2,000 students nationwide under the theme: 'Building Ghana's Future with Abacus and STEM.' Abacus education, which involves using a frame with beads to represent numbers and perform calculations, is known for fostering improved mental agility, focus, and mathematical abilities in students.
Mrs. Karroum noted that since its introduction in private schools, abacus education has sparked significant interest among pupils, helping them develop a stronger foundation in Mathematics and boosting their confidence in the subject. She stressed the importance of extending these evolving teaching and learning methods to students and teachers in government schools to enhance cognitive skills.
By adopting abacus education, Mrs. Karroum believes government schools can offer a more comprehensive and engaging Mathematics education, better preparing students for future academic and professional opportunities. She highlighted that abacus learning improves cognitive skills, enhances mental calculation abilities, and promotes problem-solving skills in children. Integrating it into the curriculum could benefit Ghana's education system by providing a more interactive approach to Mathematics education.
Mrs. Karroum urged the Ministry of Education to partner with Brainest Educare and allow the introduction of abacus education in government schools. Her appeal was echoed by Ms. Ann-Marie Ayele Akotey, a student from International Community School in Accra, who participated in the National Abacus Competition. She shared that the competition helped build her confidence in Mathematics and expressed gratitude to her teachers and parents for their support.
