Around 900 young primary school students from 49 Primary Schools in the central, western and eastern districts of Tongatapu participated in a regional soroban competition that ended on Thursday, 25 August with top students to enter a national competition in 2017.

Young students from Class 3-5 from Government and Church primary schools competed in written, oral and flash examinations.

Fanga Government Primary School won the central Nuku'alofa district competition on 25 August, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall. While, Hofoa GPS won the western side's competition on 18 August, at Alai Pulotu Hall in Te'ekiu.

Hoi Government Primary School was the top school at the eastern district competition on 16 August, at Beulah College Hall in Vaini.

‘Eua is the last outer island to holdi its competition on 8 September.

The soroban competition is co-hosted annually by the Embassy of Japan and the Ministry of Education.