International learning method gears up to reach more children

In pursuit of its goal to maximize the potentials of more Cebuano students, Kumon opened its 13th center in the province last Jan. 29.

The center, which is the first company-owned one in the Visayas, occupies a 100-square-meter area at the ground floor of 2Quad Building, a premier location for corporate offices at the city's business park.

“We can accommodate nearly 40 students at any given timeslot,” says Teacher Yenyen Paqueo, instructor of the new center. “Each day, we are eyeing 4 timelots.”

Kumon is an internationally recognized method of learning, which originated in Osaka, Japan, sometime in 1958. “It all started when a father, Toru Kumon, who was also a high school math teacher, thought of an effective strategy of helping his son in math,” said Harlan Busto, PR manager of Kumon Philippines. “His technique proved effective, and soon, Mr. Kumon and his wife, Tei, decided to make it available to more children. It reached the Philippines in the early 1980's, although our first office in Makati was established in 1996.”

Kumon offers Math and Reading in its Philippine centers, numbering to nearly 300 nationwide to date. “Our aim is to discover and develop the potential in each child,” Paqueo stresses. “And we believe in each child's potential, regardless of his age and ability.”

She expressed her passion to play an active role in developing useful Cebuano citizens who will be contributory to the development of the nation.

“We have produced thousands of Kumon completers in the country for the past 19 years, and they enjoy the long-term benefits of Kumon not only in their school, but also in their careers,” Busto flaunted.

Teacher Yenyen emphasized that Kumon is meant to be a long-term study to allow students to reap the method's full benefits.

The new Kumon center is currently accepting enrollments, but its actual classes will start on Feb. 12.

For more information about Kumon, visit their website at ph.KumonGlobal.com.