Play football, learn maths

Mumbai: Divesh Bathijia, a 24-year-old from Mumbai, quit his job in a real estate Multi-National Company to start teaching Maths to children with his innovative techniques. Divesh has devised a "Maths through Games" module which combines the fun of playing games with learning mathematical concepts. So far he has helped 4000 children and he aims to reach many more in the next academic year.

Divesh's modules are targeted at children studying in Class 5 to Class 10. He teaches Mathematical concepts like average and integers by playing games in the classroom and uses both indoor and outdoor games to teach students.

For example, students are given a number of chances to take shots at the goal post. They are then asked to calculate their success percentage based on the number of goals they have scored. This way they understand and remember the concept of percentage much better. To explain the concept of average they are made to play a game of darts and to learn integers they play a ball game. So while they enjoy the lesson they also develop an interest in the subject.

"Approximately 90% of the students in the classes I approached hated Mathematics. The 10% who liked the subject liked it because they can score something in it. They did not like the subject because they could understand something in it," says Divesh.

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He adds that he was impressed by the education system abroad where children learnt subjects for the joy of learning them. "When I was studying abroad I saw that most Indians approached education with a goal of just studying for exams. We realized that sports was something which children really loved and when it comes to games they have a different level of excitement and they really enjoy playing these games," he told NDTV.

"When children are playing games they are not just physically active but also mentally active. The brain works faster and they are in a better position to understand the concepts than sitting in the classroom," he added.

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Charu Choudhary, the Principal of  Panna English High School in Badlapur, says Divesh's techniques have helped students in her school. "Earlier children had tension while studying Maths. That has been reduced and they do not fear it anymore now."

Rupali, a student from the same school says, "Many students find learning Maths like this much easier and they have become interested in the subject."

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Divesh has not just been working in Mumbai but student of the prestigious Scindia School have also taken his modules. He also completed a pilot project at the Colaba Municipal School and plans to extend his services to as many schools as possible in the near future.