STANDING PROUD. ASHR awardees with Mr. Masumi Takahashi (extreme left), General Manager of Kumon Philippines, and Mr. Shinji Ito (extreme right), President of Kumon Asia and Oceania.

Mathematics the subject that many used to hate (or perhaps some still do), back in the days is now just a "piece of cake" for outstanding students who’ve reached mathematical knowledge higher than their current grade level. These students owe it to a different kind of learning program called the Kumon Method of Education.

Simply known as Kumon, is a home-based education system that intends to develop children’s academic ability. Started by Toru Kumon, a Japanese high school mathematics teacher started in 1954, the program was inspired by his son’s poor performance in school. It aims to increase self-learning ability of children and make them more independent.

Its Math program is specifically designed for the advancement of the learner’s mathematical abilities into the high school level, even before a student enters high school. However, Kumon is not limited to Math alone but a reading program as well is offered aiming to develop a child’s reading comprehension skills.

The program practices an individualized approach where a student can begin based on his/her ability level with a time investment of only 30 minutes a day per subject.

As a home-based education system the students are answering their worksheets on their own, with minimal supervision. This encourages a student’s independence. While working towards their dreams and goals through the skills and discipline acquired from the program.

Every year, Kumon Method of Education holds a national recognition day conducted for the students who qualify for the Advanced Student Honor Roll (ASHR).

Recently, Kumon Philippines held its one of four annual awards at the Dusit Hotel Ballroom. The quarterly recognition is given to the qualified students who performed exceptionally in the program. Present during the event were Masumi Takahashi, general manager of Kumon Philippines, and Shinji Ito, president of Kumon Asia and Oceania.

In order to encourage and recognize more students, this year’s presentation is different from the previous years. This year, all Gold ASHR students, not only the top 10 in each grade level have been awarded having a total of 900 awardees for this year.

During Takahashi's speech, he expressed pleasure to the outstanding performance of the students in the programs, and extreme pride of the program completers. "Please keep trying to achieve your dreams and goals, I’m sure that you will be the future leaders of the Philippines and contribute to the development of the community and the country."

One of the two completers who graced the presentation was Jacqueline Castillo. "During my Kumon experience I gained more than I wanted and needed. Each one of us is an achiever in our own special way, we may not know it at the time but Kumon will show it to you."

On the other hand, Carlo Vicienzo Dajac another completer shared his Kumon experience. "Starting in the 4th grade, I was already fascinated with the program. My family’s financial dilemma almost shattered my dream to pursue the program but with persistence it pushed through."

He finally ends, "With Kumon my academic performance drastically changed and when I was in grade 1 – 3, I was merely a regular student who just studied to pass and not have failing grades. Now, being a competent student who studied not just to get by but to excel, applying my training from Kumon."