Leaving a smile wherever they go

KUMON is an international educational programme that fosters confidence in independent learning skills.
Ester Kamati
Elizabeth Joseph



At KUMON, they believe that each child has unlimited, and often unexploited, potential. Through unique study programmes, they therefore aim to foster in each student the confidence and independent learning skills required to independently tackle advanced work.

The KUMON programme currently helps just over 150 students in Windhoek and more than four million in five other countries.

The programme offers quality assistance with mathematics and English and has had great success. A shining example is Alzierah Kavandje, a grade 3 learner at Eros Primary School, who has scored 93% in mathematics and a 94% in English first language after just two years in the programme.

My Zone spoke to local instructors Carol Dickson and Yvonne Doeses about the details of the programme.

“There is a registration fee of N$300, which includes testing the child’s current abilities and it also includes a feedback session with the parents,” they said.

Asked about the qualities they look for in an instructor, they said the individuals must be able to work with children.

“We are not teachers but instructors, so it is very important for us to remember that the worksheet is the teacher. The instructor has to remain calm and offer whatever assistance needed,” said Dickson.

“When the child leaves our premises they must be smiling, so the instructors need to be able to make the children feel safe at all times,” Doeses added.

Through the unique KUMON Method of Learning, children are supported to reach an advanced level of study at their own pace. As students develop their ability through self-study and experience a sense of accomplishment, so too will they grow in confidence and enthusiasm for learning.

The Material

The booklets that the children work from are imported from South Africa but are designed in Japan.

Whether a child is studying mathematics or reading with KUMON, the carefully designed worksheets help them with simple as well as complex problems, while advancing their skills at the right pace to keep them motivated.

Inside the future of KUMON

The instructors hope to see the programme grow and to hear more people talk about it. The programme runs throughout all school holidays, closing only in December.

There is no limit to what the future holds for the learners at KUMON.

At Kumon, children are not limited by the skills or knowledge of others. Each child is given the opportunity to progress as far as they are able to, with the support of an established method, a skilled instructor, and worksheets that have been developed over 60 years to develop skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Times

The programme opens at 13:30 on weekdays and closes at 17:00. The idea is to offer assistance to the learners so that they can finish their worksheets for the specific day before going home.

Prices at KUMON are affordable. Contact the KUMON centre on (061) 255367 for more information.