Jivana: young maths champ with a vision

NATIONAL ACCOLADES

- TASCHICA PILLAY

JIVANA Bisetty's passion for maths is earning her national accolades, despite being visually impaired and competing amongst sighted peers.

In a remarkable testament to resilience and talent, Jivana, a Grade 4 pupil from Crawford International La Lucia, has made history by becoming the first visually impaired learner to be among the top 10 in the junior division of the South African Mathematics Challenge, which took place in Johannesburg.

The 10-year-old was also the top Grade 4 learner in the Beyond Maths Competition last month and placed 8th in KwaZulu-Natal (level 1 category).

Jivana finds maths interesting and says she enjoys solving problems and using different mathematical tools.

She found the South African Maths Challenge more daunting than Beyond Maths.

She said she tries different methods to get the right answer. Among her favourite tools is the Abacus, which she has learned to use through an online program, Abagility.

"Children who are having difficulty with Maths can try mental arithmetic or practise maths every day and have lots of fun while doing maths. I find maths fun and relaxing, especially Abagility.

"I continue to learn by making mistakes. I attempt each question in a very logical manner," she said.