Neiafu GPS top Soroban Competition in Vava‘u ^Featured

Ms. Mele Loloahi Moimoi, Director of the Free Wesleyan Church Schools in Vava’u was the guest of honour at the competition whereby 307 soroban students from 22 Primary schools in Vava’u competed each other in three judging categories: written examination, oral examination, and flash examination.

The Neiafu Government Primary School won the overall competition, Liviela Government Primary School came second and Ngāunoho Primary School came third.

Students that top the written examination in classes 3 and 4 will be brought to Nuku’alofa to represent Vava’u in the National Soroban Competition, next year in March.

Siueti Longani from the Neiafu Government Primary School won the class 3 written examination and Sulia Hu’ahulu from Liviela won the written examination for class 4, while Kesaia Kale won the class 5 written examination category.

Soroban education was introduced to the Kingdom in the 1970’s, and has been proven by Tonga’s Ministry of Education and Training to have strengthened the mathematical skills of primary students.

The Embassy of Japan in Nuku‘alofa and the Ministry of Education and Training have co-hosted the Soroban Competition since 2010.

Young soroban students from Tonga who won the written category in previous National Competition have been invited to join a soroban summer camp in Japan, hosted by Japan International Soroban Diffusion Foundation. 

The 2017 Soroban Competition began with the competition for Ha’apai Islands in July, before the competition in Vava’u last week.

The three districts of Tongatapu will have their competitions on the 15, 17 and 24 of August, and the soroban student in ‘Eua will have their competition in September.

The Soroban Competitions is supported annually by the Tonga Soroban Education Association, JICA Tonga Office, and Japan International Soroban Diffusion Foundation.

2017 Soroban Competition in Vava’u

 Participating Schools:

GPS Feletoa, Ha‘alaufuli, Holonga, Houma, Koloa, Leimatu‘a, Liviela, Longomapu, Makave, Neiafu, Ngā‘unoho, Pangimotu, Taoa, Tefisi, Toula, Tu‘anekivale, Tu’anuku, ‘Utulei, ‘Utungake, Matamaka, Ofu and the Vava’u Side’s School.

 Total # of Participants - 307

Class 3 – 109 students
Class 4- 99 students
Class 5 – 99 students

 Result:

Class 3

Written

1 Siueti Longani 

2 Lovelyn Fakava Neiafu
3 Tangimesia Toke Neiafu

Oral

1 Siueti Longani Neiafu
2 Moana Tokolahi Neiafu
3 Escuela Finau Pangaimotu

Flash

1 Siueti Longani Neiafu
2 Lile Uasila’a Liviela
3 Marie Pasikala Side School

Class 4

Written

1 Sulia Hu’ahulu Liviela
2 Toakase Hu’ahulu Liviela
3 Nancy ‘Ofa Liviela

Oral

1 Sinamoni Tupou Liviela
2 Kalisitone Taione Liviela
3 Sulia Hu’ahulu Liviela

Flash

1 Toakase Hu’ahulu Liviela
2 Nancy ‘Ofa Liviela
3 Sulia Hu’ahulu Liviela

Class 5

Written

1 Kesaia Kale Liviela
2 Virginia Moimoi Neiafu
3 Siaifoi Fa’aumu Liviela

Oral

1 Manu Fuataimi Liviela
2 Virginia Moimoi Neiafu
3 Siaifoi Fa’aumu Liviela

Flash

1 Kesaia Kale Livela
2 Hala’ovava Samate Neiafu
3 Siaifoi Fa’aumu Liviela

Teacher

1 Salesi Fusikata Liviela
2 Satini Taufalele ‘Utulei

School

1 GPS Neiafu
2 GPS Liviela
3 GPS Ngāunoho