2024 年度教育協力ウィーク
International Education Cooperation Forum
Singapore Mathematics:
JICA Mathematics KMN Presents：What is Singapore Math Approach?
September 10th 17:00-18:30(JST)Fully Online

1. Background:
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been providing
technical cooperation in education to many developing countries for more than twodecades. Improving the quality of mathematics is one of the most frequent requests
from these countries, as they face many challenges such as inefficient curricula
and textbooks, inadequate teacher training, and an irrelevant assessment system.
While JICA’s cooperation is based on Japan’s experience evidenced ininternational assessment such as PISA and TIMSS, Singapore is also well known
as a country that promotes high-quality mathematics education, which is called“Singapore Math”. In particular, the National Institute of Education (NIE), a uniqueteacher training institute, is famous for playing a key role in the development of“Singapore Math”.
Therefore, by understanding the characteristics of "Singapore Math", we will
explore the possibility of incorporating the characteristics of Singapore Math into
future cooperation in mathematics education in Japan.
2. Objective:
To understand the characteristics of mathematics education in Singapore and togain insight into the future of Japanese-style international educationalcooperation.
3. Attendees:(Private Companies)
Japanese consulting companies which are engaging or interested inmathematics educational development in developing countries.
Mathematics Textbook companies in JapanMath App development companies(Lectures)Professors of Mathematics in public or private universities in Japan
Professors of Mathematics in public or private universities in other countries(Teachers)Mathematics teachers in public or private schools (Primary and Secondary)(Students)

Students who study math or are interested in math education development indeveloping countries.
(JICA)
JICA Mathematics Experts
JICA Project teams in basic education


4. Profile of the Moderator and PanelistPresentors
Dr. Choy Ban Heng Choy Ban Heng
Assistant Professor
National Institute of Education(NIE),Nanyang Technological University (NTU)
He is currently the Assistant Dean (Partnerships) at theOffice of Teacher Education & Undergraduate
Programmes, and an Assistant Professor in Mathematics
Education at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang
Technological University. Ban Heng received his PhD inMathematics Education from the University of Auckland,New Zealand. Prior to joining NIE, He taught secondary
school students Mathematics for ten years, and held theposition of Head of Department (Special Projects) before hejoined the CPDD in MOE as a Curriculum Policy Officer. Dr.
Choy had extensive experiences working with schools on
curriculum innovations in his role as a Head of Department
and Curriculum Policy Officer. His research focuses onmathematics teacher noticing.
Mr. Hiroki Ishizaka
Professor
Naruto University of Education
Visiting scholar of NIE
He received his Ph.D. in Government & Public Policyfrom the University of Costa Rica, in 2010. His researchinterest is about International Cooperation in Mathematics
Education, Education Policy, Intercultural Education. He
also is currently working as a JICA expert for technicalcooperation and manage some JICA training with respect
to mathematics education and school management. His
recent research focuses on intercultural online lesson
study, Global Lesson Study (GLS) between Singapore andJapan.
2Moderator
Mr. Ryota Murata
Associate Expert in education
JICA Basic Education Team2, Basic Education Group,
Human Development Department
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
After graduating university, he worked as a primaryschool teacher in Chiba prefecture. Later, he participated in
JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) as a primaryschool volunteer in Bolivia. In particular, he was involved incapacity development of teachers through the lesson studyin Mathematics. He also developed Math drills. Then, hejoined JICA as an associate expert in education thought
studying M.A. International Development and Developmentin the U.K. Currently, he is mainly in charge of education
programs in Africa (South Africa, Zambia, Ghana). He will
be assigned as a Math expert in Africa.
Facilitators
Ms. Fuka Oshima
Country Officer
JICA Africa Department, Division 3,
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
She had been working as an elementary school teacher
in Nagoya city for 11 years. Meanwhile, she participated
JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) in Namibia.
She committed to utilizing Lesson Study in Mathematics
and Science education from grade 4 to 7. She continued
the research at the Graduate School of International
Development regarding the Continuous Professional
Development of Namibian Mathematics teachers.
Currently, she is working at JICA and joining the Knowledge
Management Network of Mathematics Education.
Mr. Yuho Hashimoto
Deputy Director
JICA Basic Education Team1, Basic Education Group,
Human Development Department
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
After graduating university, he worked in Kumon Instituteof Education Co. Ltd for 4 years. Later, he participated in
JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) as a3

Community Development Officer in Malawi. Then, hegraduated M.A. Education and Development in the U.K. He
also worked in Surala Net Co., Ltd after the graduation ofthe M.A. for 2 years and joined JICA in 2019. Currently, heis mainly in charge of education programs in Ukraine andLebanon.

5. Expected Content of Panel Discussion
TimeContent

17:00～17:05 ➢➢Presenter/Speaker

Opening Remarks
Introducing each Presenters

JICAFuka Oshima

17:05～17:35 Presentation on Singapore secret: My insider Dr. Choy Ban Hengview of the Singapore Mathematics Curriculum
17:35～18:05 Presentation on What we are alike and what Dr. Hiroki Ishizaka
we are not -What Japan can learn fromSingaporean education
18:05～18:25 Q&AJICA
Ryota Murata

18:25～18:30 Closing

JICAYuho Hashimoto➢➢Remarks
Questionnaires

6. Remarks
Language / EnglishEND4