Mathematics lessons, which delve into numbers, often become a\nfrightening bogeyman for some students. Even mathematics teachers are\nfrequently stereotyped as \u201ckiller\u201d teachers feared by pupils.<\/p>\n
Students\u2019 dislike for numeracy-related subjects is reflected in the\n2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results,\nwhich show that the reading and mathematics literacy scores of most\nIndonesian students remain below the OECD average. Only 25 percent of\nstudents are above the average reading literacy score, and 18 percent\nabove the average mathematics score.<\/p>\n
These figures highlight the urgency of early interventions to improve\nliteracy and numeracy. It is this intervention that Bakti BCA is\nattempting, partnering with Yohanes Surya as the originator of the Easy,\nFun, and Enjoyable (GASING) method.<\/p>\n
Disaster-affected areas in Aceh Tamiang Regency, Aceh Province,\nbecame one of the targets of the \u201cBelajar Cerdas Angka ala GASING\u201d\ntraining organised by Bakti BCA. A total of 50 students and 10 teachers\nin Aceh Tamiang Regency received the training.<\/p>\n
The training took place from 2-12 April 2026, utilising rooms at\nSMPN1 Kuala Simpang, Aceh Tamiang. GASING participants in Aceh Tamiang\ncame from SD Negeri 1 Kualasimpang, SD Negeri 2 Kualasimpang, SD Negeri\n4 Kualasimpang, and SD Negeri Kota Lintang.<\/p>\n
A student participant from SDN 2 Kualasimpang, Putri Thalita, felt\nthe benefits of the GASING method. Previously, Putri did not like\nmathematics lessons. Putri avoided befriending numbers because she\nconsidered them difficult. But now Putri has made peace with\nnumbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore joining this, I had trouble understanding mathematics, but\nnow I like it,\u201d said Putri when met during the training closing on\nMonday (13\/4\/2026) at SMPN1 Kuala Simpang, Aceh Tamiang.<\/p>\n
The same sentiment was expressed by Siti Balqis, who also\nparticipated in the training as a student from SDN 1 Kotalintang. Balqis\nfelt difficulty when studying mathematics. However, this training made\nBalqis begin to weave fragments of love for mathematics lessons.<\/p>\n
The GASING method can indeed serve as a bridge for students to love\nmathematics. Through the GASING method, children are invited to play and\nexplore with teaching aids so that the concepts to be conveyed are truly\nfelt and visualised.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe teachers are fun and kind; during learning, we were made to\nsing, so the learning wasn\u2019t boring,\u201d said Siti, which was agreed by\nPutri.<\/p>\n
One hallmark of the GASING method is that children perform quick\nmental calculations. During the training closing session, Republika\nwitnessed participants answering calculation questions quickly. They\nwere even so enthusiastic that they competed to answer faster.<\/p>\n
Representative from Gasing Academy, Denadine Angeli, explained that\nthe training in Aceh Tamiang ran for 10 days from 2-12 April 2026.\nBefore the training, or in the pretest results, the average score was\nonly 26.50. After the training, the students\u2019 post-test score rose to\n79.76. Denadine noted that the students\u2019 speed in solving mathematics\nproblems also improved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe speed of solving problems was previously over 5 minutes; after\nusing the GASING method, it became under 5 minutes,\u201d said Denadine.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Prof Yohanes Surya explained that the GASING method\nessentially introduces the 8Cs, encompassing critical thinking,\ncreativity, collaboration, communication, computational logic,\ncharacter, and compassion. Lessons on calculations are just one part of\nthe 8Cs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that\u2019s actually everything we train. From there, quick\ncalculation skills are formed. So we use quick calculation as a tool to\ndevelop those 8Cs,\u201d said Yohanes.<\/p>\n
Through this method, Yohanes emphasised that the main goal is to\nchange the child\u2019s personality. They are expected no longer to view\nnumeracy lessons as scary.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo actually, what we develop is the child\u2019s personality. Their\ncharacter changes. That\u2019s why you can see their confidence emerges. That\nconfidence and enthusiasm appear because of mental arithmetic. We train\nwith mental arithmetic, 2 + 3, 3 + 4, 4 + 5, and so on. That\u2019s the\npractice. So mathematics is a tool. But the bonus is that the children\nbecome capable,\u201d said Yohanes.<\/p>\n
It is known that this training was held as a manifestation of BCA\u2019s\ncommitment to helping the recovery of disaster-affected communities in\nAceh, especially in the education sector. The training is designed as a\nstrategic step to improve students\u2019 calculation competencies, while also\nsupporting the enhancement of the numeracy index in Aceh Tamiang.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bca-partners-with-yohanes-surya-to-encourage-aceh-children-to-love-mathematics-1776088253", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }