Kumon vision
Thu, February 09 2006
Kumon is the name of a father whose fervent desire was to let his son have the opportunity to enjoy his years in high school. Today the whole world knows the name.
"It's never just about the name," said Hiroshi Kumon, former chairman of Kumon.
"It's also about the revolutionary style, the universal quality of the materials, and the ease with which children can achieve success and confidence through the method. And it is about the extent to which friends and families have taken to it. It is about a real child being the focal point of our activities."
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Ross Story, Kumon Canada Inc. |
Some 40,000 children went to Kumon schools in British Columbia and the rest of Western Canada in 2005, according to Ross Story, marketing officer of Kumon Canada Inc.
"More and more kids are getting better in school through the Kumon method," Story told The Asian Pacific Post.
Kumon is an after-school math and reading program that employs a unique learning method designed to help each child develop the skills needed to perform to his or her full potential.
It was Toru Kumon's wish to contribute to world peace by giving as many children as possible the opportunity to develop their potential through the Kumon Method.
Kinichiro Yoshida, managing director of Kumon Hong Kong, said it wanted to help students to develop life skills, which the group defines as the ability to "live life happily and to the fullest, with dreams and goals, with a willingness to face challenges and to continue to try new things proactively and enthusiastically".
Kumon Hong Kong was established in 1988.
Yoshida said Kumon helped its students to become intelligent and good-natured people. "Thus they can contribute to the society and help achieve world peace after completing our programs," he said.
Kumon doesn't only have idealistic dreams; it has concrete plans to actualize its ambition.
"Kumon aims to contribute to world peace via nation-building through education," said Shinji Ito, president of Kumon Asia and Oceania.
"We are working towards this vision, of making this contribution worldwide by 2014."
Setting up Completer's Clubs in different regions was one of its plans. The Completer's Club in Hong Kong was established last year.
All students who completed one or more of Kumon's programs automatically become a member of the club.
To strive to achieving its vision, Kumon has a rigid requirement on the qualities of its instructors.
Apart from being degree holders and EMB certificate holders and have continuous training of usage of materials, Kumon's instructors have to have a passion for children.
Pitt Wong Cheuk-lik, chairman of Kumon Hong Kong Completer's Club, is a Kumon mathematics program completer.
He shared how Kumon made him a better person.
"The Kumon Way provides me with insight into the good human qualities. These include a sense of responsibility, diligence, perseverance, organisation, critical thinking and self-motivation.
"These life skills have tremendously heightened my self-confidence.
"In this ever-changing society in which stress is virtually unavoidable, self-confidence is always a victorious weapon."
Pitt is now a year five medical student at the University of Hong Kong. "I've always wanted to share my experiences with the students to encourage them to complete the programs.
"Kumon had helped me a great deal and I want to pay Kumon back," he said.
He said the Completer's Club was set up to realize Kumon's vision of achieving World Peace by 2014.
"Education is very important to our society. The Completer's Club gathered Kumon completers so that we can work together.
"First to serve the community, then to help build our nation, finally to contribute to world peace," he said.
