Developing a love for maths –starting young!

As part of our efforts to improve foundational education, we are happy to have been invited to partner with the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture and Kumon Institute of Education for the foundational numeracy project in Namibia. The project is undertaking an assessment of the status of maths skills at different phases in learners’ and young people’s lives and putting in place a model based on the Kumon Method to develop maths and study skills from a young age.

For this project, Grade 3 learners work on tablets with Kumondeveloped material to build maths knowledge and study practices. Kumon has provided participating schools with the needed resources, and our role is to work side by side with educators to identify challenges and observe how the gradual introduction of the Kumon approach is received in classrooms, providing support along the way. Mathematics, the focus subject, is especially relevant because numeracy is one of the main areas our ECD department emphasises in its training.

As a data analyst and mathematician by profession, I helped facilitate the assessments and identified key areas where learners faced difficulties. These insights will guide Kumon, the ministry and the team at DWN as we all work to address these challenges and learn from the Kumon Method, reflecting on how it can become a natural part of the classroom experience. One of the most exciting and much-needed components of this method is that it aims to help learners develop a positive relationship with maths, so it is no longer seen as a brick wall or an obstacle.

The Kumon Method is a globally recognised learning approach designed to help children reach their full potential. Used by over 3 million learners in more than 60 countries, it promotes independent learning through daily self-paced worksheets. Learners start at a comfortable level based on their actual ability – not their school grade – to build confidence, concentration and fluency before progressing to more advanced concepts.

Kumon helps learners master everything, from basic maths to complex problem-solving. The method values understanding over speed and encourages children to reason through problems, strengthen mental calculation skills and build lasting confidence. Through individualised instruction and expert support, learners also develop the ability to study independently, a skill that supports long-term academic success and a lifelong love of learning. The method also focuses on showing the teachers how to best support learners and give them tailored guidance, instruction and means of motivation.

This is well aligned with the work done by DWN, as foundational numeracy is one of the main areas promoted in DWN’s early learning programme. Foundational numeracy – the ability to understand and use basic maths – is essential for learning and daily life. It includes skills like counting, knowing numbers, adding and subtracting, and recognising shapes and patterns. Simple activities like counting toys, matching socks or measuring while cooking help build these skills. Early maths confidence supports future learning and smart everyday choices. DWN develops materials, trains teachers and educarers on play-based learning, and demonstrates to parents the interventions needed to support early learning and foundational skills.

I still remember my own journey with maths in school. There were moments when I struggled and fell behind, especially when lessons moved too quickly or skipped over the basics. What made the biggest difference was when I finally had a teacher who helped me build confidence by going back to simple foundations. That experience shaped my love for maths and made me see how powerful early support can be. I believe that many children who fear maths simply have not had the chance to experience it in a way that makes sense to them. The Kumon approach offers that chance by meeting each learner and child where they are and guiding them forward step by step.

To track the progress of the Kumon in schools programme, DWN will continue conducting regular debriefs with teachers and observing learners in classrooms to see how well the Kumon Method is being integrated into these traditional Namibian settings. We are also exploring what challenges may arise with this method, whether teachers are actively implementing it and how they feel about the Kumon way as a sustainable solution.

It has been an empowering experience to help introduce young learners to a version of maths that is joyful and not stressful. Seeing their confidence grow reminds me why this work matters. This project makes me hopeful for a future where Namibian children are no longer afraid of maths but instead see it as a tool that opens doors to opportunities, ideas and lifelong learning.

My maths mantra? “Maths isn’t about getting it right the first time; it’s about learning to see problems as puzzles and growing stronger with each try.”

Wilka Igulu

Data consultant at Development Workshop Namibia