USE OF ABACUS IN SCHOOLS

Mr Koo Tsai Kee asked the Minister for Education whether he will promote the use of the abacus in schools.

The Minister of State for Education (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is conducting a pilot project on the teaching of abacus in seven primary schools starting in May this year. Based on the outcome of the pilot project, my Ministry may promote the teaching of abacus in more primary schools.

In this project, Primary 3 pupils will be taught abacus skills in addition and subtraction to reinforce their understanding of relationships between numbers and the concept of place values. The pilot project will also evaluate the effects of abacus teaching on pupils' attitude towards the learning of mathematics.

The training of teachers will take place in March and April after which the abacus will be taught during mathematics lessons for one period or 30 minutes per week over four months. As the learning of abacus skills is to enhance the learning of mathematics, it will not be an examinable subject.