One thousand Sorobans were handed over to the Ministry of Education and JICA Resident Representative on Friday, 31 March 2023.

The Resident Representative for Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tonga Office, Mr. Hiroaki Takashima donated 1000 Sorobans to the Ministry of Education and Training (MET).

The Deputy CEO Mr. Hepeti Takeifanga represented the ministry in receiving the donation at the Primary School Principals monthly meeting. 

Ono city and one donor, donated the soroban with the hope that it will help children’s mathematics skills and to further develop the relationship between the two countries. Ono city of Hyogo Prefecture, also known as Soroban town, for production of Banshu soroban, has been a major donor of sorobans. So far, the city has donated more than 9000 soroban to Tonga alone.

The donation is under the “Smile For All in the World” Program. The principal goal of this program is to connect people in Japan and other countries through JICA volunteers. The program invites people in Japan to donate goods which are needed in developing countries.

Soroban classes are held in government primary schools from Class 3 – Class 6 as part of Math classes. Ministry of Education has recently expanded the Soroban classes hence the need for more soroban. JICA has been sending volunteers in the field of Soroban and Primary Education since 1989.  These volunteers have contributed to the development of Soroban education in Tonga in collaboration with the Soroban Unit of the Ministry of Education and Training.