Math needs attention in pre-primary classes: Study

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 22

Mathematics-related activities need special attention of the course designers for pre-primary education in Punjab as has been revealed in the second baseline evaluation of the first batch of the pre-primary classes (3-6 years).

The second evaluation, during the current session, has shown that children, averagely, showed about 20 per cent progress in physical activities and in social activities in all groups between three and six years. In mathematics-related activities, the mental ability of children aged three and four years of age was only four per cent.

A course designer for the pre-primary classes said, “We saw children responding very poorly to attempts at involving them in exercise where they had to apply mathematics. Like when we gave them two toffees and then three more and asked them to tell how many they had now, majority of them did not respond appropriately. We are applying our minds to improve our curriculum.”

The third set of progressive evaluation concluded today. Initial feedback indicated a similar state of slow progress for mathematics and much higher for physical activities and social activities. Mentors agreed that child activity needed an extra attention on training young minds in comprehending applicability of mathematics in their lives. Result cards will be ready by tomorrow.

The progress report of the pre-primary classes for the first two evaluations showed that only four per cent children aged three and four could pick the mathematical skills. The progress of children aged four was nine per cent and the progress of children aged six was only eight per cent. The average results touch an average of more than 75 per cent in comprehending, both physical activities and social skills.

Talking to The Tribune, a senior officer said, “There is no test involved in the process of evaluation of children. Evaluation is largely based on daily activities. However, these are tabulated for one week before the final copy of the result card is released.

Responding to the good response to government initiative in pre-school education, 54,430 children have enrolled for fresh admissions in the next academic session. The admission process has been on since December 18, 2018. As many as 1.73 lakh children had enrolled in the first year. Currently 12,899 government schools are offering pre-school classes.