Gakken Classroom: Helping Children in Malaysia Discover the Joy of Learning Maths and Science

by Kiddy123.com . on 08/06/2016 252 3941

Science and mathematics may soon become the favourite subjects of school children in Malaysia – although this has not been the case so far, as seen in our students’ poor performance in science (54^th place among 65 countries/economies) and math (52^nd place) in PISA 2015 (see http://kiddy123.com/article/what-malaysian-parents-should-know-about-pisa.html).

Gakken Classroom, Japan’s leading provider of maths and science education, has been nurturing children from as young as 5 years of age to primary school goers to enjoy learning these two important subjects. Gakken Classroom has eight licensees (six in the Klang Valley and two in Sibu) and has recently launched an affiliated company, Gakken Education Malaysia Sdn Bhd, to expand its reach in this country.

Gakken Education Malaysia Managing Director, Hiroaki Noh, said, “Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. in Japan has a 70-year history in providing educational books, teaching materials, stationery, and educational toys, while Gakken Classroom has a proven track record in developing reading and thinking skills and improving children’s academic achievement. Today, we have 15,000 classrooms and more than 420,000 members in Japan. Gakken was No.1 for the 4th time in Japan’s Customer Satisfaction Index under the educational services division.

Our four guiding principles are: establishing fundamental academics abilities, self-learning, a no-grade method that follows the child's individual learning progress, and a well-rounded life skill-based education.

“We now want to contribute towards Malaysia’s development through our educational contents and services, and plan to increase from the current eight centres licensed to use the Gakken Classroom programmes to 100 centres within five years to benefit at least 5,000 children all over Malaysia. We consider ourselves as the third pillar in the child’s education – we collaborate with schools and communities to provide children with the support they need. When children have joy in learning, it leads to good study habits, which are important in developing their academic abilities.

Said General Manager Steven Sun, who is in charge of training Gakken Classroom instructors in Malaysia, “We emphasise problem-solving, the why, and the how. We develop the child’s logical thinking skills, observation skills and presentation skills. Each child is provided guidance according to ability, thus enabling the child to learn at his/her own individual pace. In this way, he/she enjoys learning and gains self-confidence.”

In the Gakken Maths Course, children learn the thinking process behind problem-solving, thereby acquiring logical thinking skills and the ability to adapt and apply their knowledge to real life situations. Its unique guiding method makes children think and solve mathematical problems on their own using worksheets designed with stories and interesting illustrations. The children are supervised by an instructor but are not given the answers directly; instead, the instructor guides them towards the answers by giving them hints. A student only proceeds to the next level after he has fully understood. Thus, each child learns at his own pace and without unnecessary stress.

We emphasise problem-solving, the why, and the how. We develop the child’s logical thinking skills, observation skills and presentation skills.

The Gakken Science Experiment Course is such a fun place to be in. The children are divided into small groups and use specially designed experiment kits to learn science. The science experiments cover 36 themes (1 theme per month) and are conducted individually, in a group, or demonstrated by the instructor. This activity-based and hands-on learning helps children learn and understand science better, and the element of fun arouses their natural curiosity to explore more. All science experiments are based on three princilples: observe, explore and reflect. The children are even required to write a report after each activity.

The results are pretty amazing. A survey on parents with children taking Gakken Classroom programmes recorded the following top three responses:

“My child now studies more often on a regular basis.”
“My child is now more interested in science.”
“My child is now much better at solving problems.”

Ultimately, Gakken Classroom programmes not only develop the child’s love of and competency in maths and science but also nurture the child’s logical thinking skills, a self-learning attitude, and self-confidence – abilities and qualities that will definitely give him/her a head-start in school and in his/her future life and career.