Akshara Foundation, non-profit with a focus on mathematics for children in primary schools, hosted the Karnataka edition of its annual Maths Symposium, “IT ALL ADDS UP 2023-24,” in Bengaluru, as per the press release.
Akshara’s flagship initiative, the Ganitha Kalika Andolana (GKA), or ‘Maths Learning Movement’, aims to improve maths proficiency among more than seven million children studying in government primary schools in Karnataka, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh since 2015. With a footprint of over 80,000 schools, GKA emphasises classroom interventions, community engagement and the use of appropriate technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences, it added.
This edition of the Maths Symposium was centred around the focus and emphasis on community involvement in children’s education, and the community-led Gram Panchayat Maths Contests (in Karnataka).
During the symposium, a report on the results of the Akshara-facilitated Gram Panchayat Maths Contests for 2023-24 was released, highlighting its key findings and impact. The Contests were held in 4160 of the 5900+ Gram Panchayats in Karnataka. Over 4,70,000 children from grades 4-6 from 22,000 government schools in 28 districts participated in these contests.
The GP Maths Contests Report revealed that children were performing better than expected in mathematics. Even in areas like the Kalyana Karnataka region which has historically shown low learning levels, approximately 40% of the children could answer 8 out of 20 questions correctly.
“We get troubled by learning surveys about government schools. I’m really feeling better after reading your GP Maths Contests Report. We shouldn’t think our children are not good at maths. The situation is bright, not dark. Your Report substantiates that,” B.B. Cauvery, IAS, Commissioner for Public Instruction, Government of Karnataka, said.
The symposium also included panel discussions, including a session on the importance of Community Engagement in the process of education.