Recognized as the best Math curriculum in the world, Singapore Math is being taught at Victory Chirstian International School.

Why Singapore students rank first in Mathematics and Science globally is no secret. It is because of the unique curriculum called Singapore Math created and implemented by its education ministry.

Studies by the Trends International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) show that Singapore children at all grade levels perform best in Math and Science and this is credited to the training the children get in Singapore Math, a method wherein students master core concepts first before moving on to solve more abstract problems. Singapore Math is extremely visual and primarily involves word problems, thus encouraging the understanding of mathematical properties and promoting overall numerical fluency.

Recognized globally as the best Math curriculum, Singapore Math is now in the Philippines and among the schools that implement its curriculum is Victory Christian International School (VCIS), located in Pasig City.

Singapore Math provides rich problem sets where students may apply the concepts they have learned.

“Singapore Math is based on progression where students first learn through the use of manipulatives (objects), followed by the use of pictorials in an effort to solve problems at the abstract level more successfully.

The curriculum also emphasizes model drawing, an approach that helps students organize information and solve problems step-by-step,’’ explains VCIS Math teacher Babette Ferrer.

For instance, in teaching multiplication to gradeschoolers, children are not asked to memorize the multiplication table.

“What we do is ensure that they master addition first — using pictorials and stories — because multiplication is, at its core, just fast-track addition,” says Ferrer, who holds a masters degree in Mathematics.

Singapore Math gained acclaim when Singapore pupils ranked first in Mathematics in TIMMS. In 2003, 46 countries participated in TIMSS, at either the fourth or eighth-grade or both.

Singapore’s 4th grade pupils placed first with an average score of 594–way above the average of 495. The Philippines ranked 23rd with an average of 358.

Teachers are also kept on their toes because Singapore Math requires them to be more creative and make lessons simpler and easier for students to understand.

“Presentations are clear and use simple, concise explanations. Once, I taught geometry using pizza. Or for algebra instead of using ‘x’ we used smileys. Students learn easier and they have so much fun!” adds Ferrer.

With the performance of Singapore students in world competitions, VCIS did not have second thoughts about embracing it. Singapore Math has been part of the VCIS curriculum since 2005.

VCIS was founded in 2000 by the Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF). It provides grade school and high school education with emphasis on Christian Character, Academic Excellence, and Leadership Development. VCIS is located at 339 Robinson Circle Captain Henry Javier Drive, Pasig City. For more information, log on to www.victorychristianschool.ph.