Tihan, a Gr 4 learner from Laerskool Selection Park, recently participated in the National Soroban (Abacus) Education and Mental Arithmetic System (Semas) Mathematics Competition at Maragon Private School in Ruimsig, Roodepoort.
There were 415 pupils from all over South Africa, but Tihan won the Champions Trophy which placed him in the top 10% in the country.
He also qualified for the International team for 2014.
“Sema is a Japanese Abacus system aimed at sharpening children’s mathematic skills,” says Tihani, Tihan’s mother.
It also helps with memorising, concentration, speed reading, and fine motor skills directly linked to intelligence.
The main aim of Semas is to cultivate a love of mathematics within the children.
