Rwanda is preparing to expand Abacus Mental Math to schools across the country, as the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) seeks to make mathematics more engaging and help pupils build greater confidence in the subject.
The announcement was made during the National Abacus Mental Math Competition held at Lycée de Kigali on August 25, where pupils demonstrated their speed and ability in mental arithmetic. REB had publicly announced the competition as a national event.
REB Director General Dr Nelson Mbarushimana said the programme began in Kigali but will be extended to other parts of the country during the next school holiday.
“We still have a journey ahead to make children enjoy Abacus so that they can love mathematics and become confident in it,” Mbarushimana said.
He said REB is also strengthening teachers’ capacity to use Abacus and the materials required to teach the method, with teachers expected to play a key role in expanding the programme.
The planned expansion follows Rwanda’s growing experience with Abacus Mental Math. The programme is designed to help children develop calculation speed, concentration, memory and confidence through practical exercises and mental visualisation.
Mbarushimana said pupils from different districts will eventually be given opportunities to compete, with top performers expected to progress to national-level competitions.
The initiative is also expected to encourage parents to support children’s practice at home and help create a more positive attitude towards mathematics.
Shenmo Education Rwanda says it has been working with REB to introduce Abacus Mental Math in public schools, including a 2026 pilot involving six schools.
The nationwide expansion would give more primary-school pupils access to the programme and create broader opportunities for them to develop foundational numeracy skills.
