‘going well’
p. 41 · Read in the full issue
Abacus system ‘going well’
introduction of the abacus into the Tonga school curriculum appears to be success ful. Teachers have found it an effective aid to one of the duller subjects. The abacus has been introduced as a result of the personal enthusiasm of King Taufa’ahau, who at the palace not long before the coronation invited school children to give him a demonstration of their progress after one term’s work.
King Taufa’ahau had already personally conducted classes for school teachers in the use of the abacus.
A highlight of the palace demonstration was a competition by pupils in solving problems with the abacus. The King said that several types of abacuses will be used in progression in Tonga, and at the secondary level students would progress to the use of the slide rule as a mathematical aid.