In Ha'apai 191 primary school students competed in a district Soroban competition organized by the Embassy of Japan and  Ministry of Education & Training and held at the Ha’apai High School Hall on July 20. 

The students from Classes 3 – 5 at six Government Primary Schools: GPS Pangai, GPS Faleloa, GPS Fotua, GPS Tongoleleka, GPS Koulo and GPS Ha’ano competed in three categories the written examination, oral examination, and flash examination.

GPS Pangai was ranked first in the overall competition, GPS Faleloa came second and GPS Fotua came third.

The top three students in the written examinations have been selected to represent Ha’apai at the National Soroban Competition in Nuku'alofa next year where they will face the best of Tongatapu, Vava’u and ‘Eua. The top three are Sesilia Vaha’i from Pangai GPS (class 3), Seionala Launoa from Fotua GPS (class 4) written and Taiana Palu from Faleloa GPS (class 5).

A traditional Japanese sport, Soroban has been incorporated into the Tongan education system as a compulsory element of the mathematics subjects from Class 3 to Class 5 for all Government Primary Schools. According to the Ministry of Education & Training, Soroban strengthens the mathematical skills of primary students. The Tonga National Soroban Competition has been held annually since 2010.

Results

Class 3

Class 4

Class 5