what Nigerian schools don’t teach about maths

What Schools Don’t Teach About Speed, Accuracy, and Focus in Mathematics.

Many parents are surprised to learn that what schools don’t teach about maths is often the very thing their children struggle with the most—speed, accuracy, and sustained focus.

Your child may understand maths concepts perfectly well, yet still:

  • Take too long to solve simple questions
  • Make careless mistakes
  • Panic during tests
  • Lose concentration halfway through homework

This is not a sign of low intelligence. It is a skills gap, and it is more common than you think.

The Hidden Gap in Traditional Maths Education

Most Nigerian schools do a good job teaching:

  • Formulas
  • Rules
  • Procedures
  • Examination syllabuses

However, they rarely train children in:

  • Fast mental processing
  • Visual calculation
  • Focused thinking under time pressure
  • Accuracy without constant supervision

As a result, many children know what to do but struggle with how quickly and confidently to do it.

Why Speed and Accuracy Matter More Than Parents Realize

In real exam situations—common entrance, BECE, WAEC, or even class tests—time pressure is real.

A child who:

  • Understands maths but works slowly
  • Doubts their answers
  • Needs to write everything out

will often score lower than a child who can:

  • Calculate mentally
  • Stay focused
  • Check answers quickly

This is where many bright Nigerian children fall behind—not because they don’t know maths, but because they lack mental maths training.

The Focus Problem: Why Children Get Distracted Easily

Another major issue Nigerian schools don’t directly address is focus.

Many classrooms are crowded. Lessons move fast. Children are exposed to phones, TV, and digital distractions at home. Over time, this affects:

  • Attention span
  • Memory retention
  • Mental discipline

Maths becomes frustrating, and children begin to believe they are “not good at maths,” even when the problem is focus—not ability.

How Abacus Training Fills This Critical Learning Gap

Abacus training works differently from regular classroom maths.

At SIMA Abacus & Mental Maths Academy, children are trained to:

  • Visualize numbers in their minds
  • Calculate without fingers or calculators
  • Process information quickly and accurately
  • Maintain focus for extended periods

This repeated mental exercise strengthens:

  • Concentration
  • Memory
  • Speed
  • Confidence

Over time, maths stops being stressful and becomes almost automatic.

You can read more about how abacus improves children’s concentration and confidence on our website:
👉 Internal Link: https://www.simaabacus.com

Why This Skill Is a Lifelong Advantage

The benefits of abacus training go beyond maths.

Children who develop speed, accuracy, and focus through abacus often perform better in:

  • Other academic subjects
  • Problem-solving tasks
  • Competitive exams
  • Everyday decision-making

According to educational research, mental arithmetic strengthens neural connections responsible for attention and working memory (credible educational source).

What Parents Can Do Now

If your child:

  • Is intelligent but slow in maths
  • Makes avoidable mistakes
  • Struggles with focus
  • Lacks confidence during tests

Then the issue may not be schooling—it may be missing mental maths training.

Abacus learning complements school education; it does not replace it.

At SIMA Abacus & Mental Maths Academy, we help children build the skills traditional classrooms overlook—speed, accuracy, and focus.

Enroll your child today and watch maths transform from a struggle into a strength.

Visit www.simaabacus.com to get started.