The Country Manager, UCMAS Edu Nigeria Ltd, Stephen Ofori, has urged schools in the country to embrace the Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic (UCMAS) so that it can positively impact the academic performances of students.

Ofori, who stated this at the third UCMAS national competition held at the Distance Learning Institute, University of Lagos (UNILAG), explained that UCMAS is a brain development programme for children between ages five and 14.

He said the method is to enhance children’s brains to think fast and solve mathematics without the aid of technology while equipping them with the confidence to do well in all subjects.

Ofori said UCMAS is currently operating in 10 states and training about 6, 000 children on how to enhance their brain capacity on yearly basis.

According to him, apart from aiding the power of the brain, UCMAS helps children to improve their concentration level; speed, accuracy, memory and helping them conquer fear of mathematics.

“If a child’s learning level is enhanced, he will be able to grow his concentration level. When their mathematics skill is enhanced, their thinking skills improve. That is what we are trying to replicate with children to help their daily activities in school.

Already, he said schools have adopted the programme as part of their academic activities and have dedicated UCMAS teachers.

Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Education, Adetola Salau, hailed the programme for its beneficial impact on children’s development. She expressed hope that the programme would make inroads into schools across the state, saying it is important for students to think critically and be able to understand the relevance of mathematics.

Salau said mathematics is a language students should utilise to solve and invent new innovations.

Lead Educator, Great Destination School, Gbagada, Adetutu Adegoke, said the programme adds values to what students are doing in school leading to great improvement.

The competition saw children in kindergarten and basic classes win trophies and cash prizes in keenly contested visual and mental arithmetic speed and accuracy tests.