Astana's intergenerational mental arithmetic championship unites young and old

Astana recently hosted a mental arithmetic championship that brought together nearly 100 participants of all ages. The event, held at Comfortable School No. 103, marked another milestone in Kazakhstan’s decade-long focus on mental arithmetic training. Around 250 spectators attended the competition, which included both schoolchildren and pensioners. The championship kicked off with the performance of Kazakhstan’s national anthem. Organised under the Baıterek initiative in partnership with UCMAS, the event featured an unusual intergenerational format, allowing young students and seniors to compete side by side.

Organisers emphasised the inclusion of older participants, who had received a year of free mental arithmetic training. The competition aimed to build stress resilience and quick-thinking skills in children while also serving as a preventive measure against Alzheimer’s for seniors. Representatives from Astana’s Amanat party, including the chair of the Yesil District branch and the head of the capital’s education department, were among the attendees. Mental arithmetic has grown steadily in Kazakhstan, with annual citywide and national competitions reinforcing its role beyond traditional education.

The championship highlighted the benefits of mental arithmetic across age groups. Children developed cognitive skills, while seniors engaged in brain-training activities designed to maintain mental sharpness. The event reinforced the country’s commitment to expanding access to such programmes.