Students from Fengli Elementary School in Rudong do mental arithmetic during a competition. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Fengli Elementary School in Rudong county, Nantong is renowned for its exceptional achievements in abacus and mental arithmetic education. Since 1997, the school has seen over 3,000 students win awards in various competitions, from local to international levels.

On July 15, five students from the school each earned a first-place individual award, along with two first-place team awards, at the 8th Competition of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic of World Association of Abacus and Mental Arithmetic.

The abacus, recognized as one of the world's oldest computing devices, was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013. Despite the advancements in artificial intelligence and computing technology, Wang Xiaoqin, head of the abacus program at Fengli Elementary School, believes that learning to use an abacus remains valuable.

"Studying the abacus enhances concentration, willpower, and cognitive abilities. We notice significant improvements in first-grade students' observational skills and responsiveness after just a month of abacus training," she explained.

Founded in 1904, Fengli Elementary School has dedicated itself to preserving and promoting abacus culture. The school has incorporated the abacus into its curriculum through dedicated spaces in the hallways, an abacus club, and a specialized training base. Additionally, abacus-themed courses have been integrated with subjects like Chinese, music, art, and physical education, making the learning process engaging and enjoyable for students.