OH, I SEE: Jamiran (centre) learns to play a game at one of the stalls at the carnival.
KUCHING: Some 250 primary school pupils from around 30 schools took part in this year’s Abacus and Mental Arithmetic (AMA) Competition, and Mathematic Carnival yesterday, organised by Batu Lintang Teachers College (IPG).
The objective of the AMA Competition was to inculcate and promote greater interest and motivation in primary school pupils to master the use of the abacus and mental arithmetic, said Batu Lintang IPG deputy director Jamiran Salam.
“Abacus and mental arithmetic involves both the left and right brain. It helps to improve and strengthen the understanding and application of the four basic operations of mathematics,” he said.
The Mathematic Carnival had created an opportunity for trainee teachers to apply the theory and skills they learned in a real situation with real students, he added.
“This also helps strengthen the relationship and cooperation between the IPG, schools and private agencies in the effort to upgrade the quality of Mathematics education.”
Around 90 trainee teachers were involved in organising this year’s carnival, an annual effort that began in 2004.
According to Mathematics Department head Koh Lee Ling, the carnival was divided into two sections — mathematical games and recreational mathematics.
“All these games are prepared as part of the trainees’ assessment. In the carnival, they get to put them to the test,” she said, adding that games are very much a way of learning.
Rosalind Choo, who was at the carnival with her daughter Audrey Pho, 10, said this was the second year they had taken part.
“The games are very useful for children to learn and have some fun while they are waiting for the prize giving ceremony,” she said, after redeeming the tokens they won from game stalls for stationeries.
Meanwhile, 10-year old Audrey’s review on the carnival was that it was fun.
“My favourite stall was where we made pop-up cards,” she said.
The AMA Competition was run in three categories, with three top winners and 15 consolation prizes.
Under Category A, the top prize went to Georgina Ong Yen Yee (SJK Chung Hua No. 5). Second place went to Elayne Danielle Mark Remmie (SK St Teresa) while Jake Sim Liang Zhong (SJK Chung Hua No 3) came in third. SJK Chung Hua No. 3 emerged as the team champion in this category.
In Category B, Derick Liew Chee Hua (SJK Chung Hua No. 2) was named champion. In second place was Alvin Bong Guan Jie (SJK Chung Hua No. 2) and in third was Cassandra Ho Hai Ting (SJK Chung Hua No. 4). SJK Chung Hua No. 2 was declared the winning team for this category.
In Category C, Daniel Kho Wen Ping (SK St Joseph) won first place. Second place went to Marcus Ho Hao Xiang (SJK Chung Hua No. 4), while third place went to Gordon Chong Xue Zhang (SJK Chung Hua No. 3). The winning team was SJK Chung Hua No. 1.
Elayne Danielle Mark Remmie (SK St Teresa) was declared the best Bumiputera competitor, while SJK Chung Hua No. 3 was the overall champion for the competition.