Accra April 24, GNA - About 1,000 students from 56 basic schools, have participated in this year's Universal Concept Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) Fifth Inter-Schools National Competition to enhance their proficiency in comprehension, listening, creativity and photographic memory.
The competition held in Accra involved children from five to 14 years to test their speed, confidence and concentration by answering 150 arithmetic questions within eight minutes using the 'UC Tool-Abacus'.
The UCMAS programme is an initiative of UCMAS Ghana Limited, an academic facility, which goes alongside the curriculum of registered schools allowing children to do all arithmetic calculations mentally without relying on calculators and computers.
Master Precious Nkyefo Karikari of Bethel School Complex, Techiman, in the Brong-Ahafo Region, emerged winner of the Elementary A and Above listening calculation and received GH¢150 as his reward.
Samuel Kwakye Ameyaw of Valley View School, Techiman was the winner of category Basic of the listening calculation and received GH¢150.
Mr Girish Gurbani, the Director of UCMAS Ghana Ltd, said the programme gradually ensured total brain development, eradicated mathematics phobia from pupils, boosted their confidence level, enhance their listening skills, and bolstered their creativity and imagination level.
He said UCMAS was in its 10th year of operation in Ghana and had extended its services to the West Africa Sub-region with a vision to reach out to the whole of Africa.
'We are confident that these students are on the pedestal of achieving enviable academic laurels and we have no doubt that many more students from Ghana will win international awards as achieved by past students of UCMAS,' he said.
He expressed gratitude to partners of the programme including the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, Franchisees, Directors and Heads of schools, parents and staff of UCMAS for their enormous support.
The Minister of Education Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh in a speech read on his behalf said government was committed to equip children and young people with the knowledge, skills and aptitudes that would enable them to compete with the very best in the word.
He urged all directors and proprietors of both public and private basic schools to embrace this important programme to enable children to reach their full potential.
'This nation stands to benefit hugely from the vital skills they will inevitably acquire through the programme,' he said
Winners from other categories were also presented with trophies, certificates and medallion.
UCMAS is a global education group established in 1993 by Professor Dr Din Wong with presence in more than 62 countries.
UCMAS started operations in Ghana in 2007, operating only in Accra but currently is present in the 10 regions and operating more than 180 learning centres.
It is also in partnership with more than 200 schools running the UCMAS programme as a school curriculum activity.
GNA
By Kwamina Tandoh, GNA
NPP Performance Tracker prioritise toilets over substantive infrastructure dev’t...
Ghana, other election bound-countries must build fiscal buffers – IMF admonishes
Parliament reconvenes late May, denies Speaker Bagbin delaying recall over NDC t...
$100m needed to revitalise Ghana's poultry sector — GNAPF
Driver arrested for causing train collision on Tema-Mpakadan Railway Line
Police grab trucker for Tema-Mpakadan rail accident
Gov't plans to revise traditional customs following Gborbu child marriage
Franklin Cudjoe fumes at unaccountable wasteful executive living large at the ex...
I'll 'stoop too low' for votes; I'm never moved by your propaganda — Oquaye Jnr ...
Kumasi Thermal Plant commissioning: I pray God opens the eyes of leaders who don...
