He vouches that UCMAS classes help to enhance an individual’s capacity. “I was a slow writer and now I’ve become quick,” he says, adding that he has improved a lot in his studies as well. “Even though I used to stand first in my class, my marks weren’t very good. Now I get distinction,” he says. Thapa has won the nationwide UCMAS championship, too. [break]
UCMAS was introduced in Nepal nine years ago, and its effectiveness in intellectual development has been experienced by children. Parents, too, claim that their children’s intellectual capacity has been enhanced. UCMAS is based on a Chinese system where abacus is used to teach Mathematics to children.
Abacus is used during UCMAS classes and the effectiveness of UCMAS in improving a student´s studies and intellectual capacity has made it popular amongst families of different backgrounds.
It is after enrolling her sons in UCMAS classes that Avash’s mother, Kamala, noticed the difference in her sons’ growth. “When guests talk to the boys, they get surprised by their logical capacity,” she says. Avash’s younger brother, Aakar, also says that joining the class has benefited him. “I was weak in addition and multiplication, but now I find them easy,” says Aakar, a class two student of KMC School. “My friends call me an engineer of Mathematics,” he laughs.
Kalpana Khanal, a resident of Koteshwor, also says that because of the UCMAS class her daughter’s development has increased. Ten-year-old Niju Khanal has been attending the class and her studies are also improving as a result. “She has become better in her studies and her memory power has increased,” says her mother. Niju is the winner of the UCMAS National Competition. Seeing other children benefit from UCMAS class prompted Kalpana to enroll her daughter too.
Through UCMAS system, children learn Mathematics, improve their listening skills, memory power, concentration and their ability to understand, says Prema Budathoki, operator of Agile UCMAS. “It helps in improving concentration and imaginative powers and also makes children creative,” says Budathoki.
Kailash Kunwar, who runs UCMAS classes in Kumaripati, explains that because this system utilizes and makes active the right part of our brains, it plays a big role in intellectual development. Our memory power is situated on the right side of our brain and this system helps in boosting it. When we try to remember anything, we first remember the object’s shape and then its picture. Then, the name also directly comes to mind. Children can use this exercise to come up with quick replies to any question.
UCMAS trainers say that this system is also scientific. Using an abacus ensures that the student mostly sits straight and uses his right hand. Sitting straight connects with the brain and makes it active, they say.
UCMAS comprises of 10 stages. The development of brain is easier to accomplish in children of ages 5 to 13 and, hence, this system is good for children, say experts. Trainers say that seeing the results of such classes, parents are attracted to UCMAS.
In Nepal, UCMAS was introduced by Kailash Kunwar in 2003. In the period of nine years, this system is established in Kathmandu and has spread to major cities in the countries. Kunwar says, “In the beginning, only well to do people were interested in UCMAS. Now, even the middle class are interested.”
Bal Bikas UCMAS in Samakhusi was started six years ago with only ten students. Now, it boasts of 170 students and there have been 250 students who have completed the course in the last six years. Agile UCMAS in Baneshwar started with nine students and 200 students have taken the course till now.
Established five years ago, Mamta UCMAS in Kalimati has 200 students in one group. Ajit Shrestha, operator of Mamta UCMAS, says that children of different backgrounds are now attending the classes.
Since the UCMAS system depends on regular practice, parents, good teachers and students have equal roles, say the experts. For this, UCMAS centers have even started providing parents with orientation classes. “This helps in making the parents understand the importance of UCMAS and then help their children,” says Budhathoki.
Familiar for providing knowledge in Mathematics and mental development, this system was invented by Chinese doctor Kinomong. It was re-started by Malaysia when it came to a decline. Currently, UCMAS centres are running in more than 50 countries. In Nepal, there are 32 centers in which 9000 students are enrolled.
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