Panchmahal village school plots new formula to beat maths phobia

Vadodara: For many students, mathematics is where numbers stop making sense and anxiety begins. Recent data reflects this growing discomfort: the number of students opting for Standard Maths has dropped sharply to 61,314 in 2024–25 from 1.10 lakh when the Gujarat board introduced the Basic–Standard option four years ago.But in a quiet corner of Panchmahal district, numbers are finding a new language — one that students actually enjoy. At a govt primary school in Navanadisar village, maths has stepped out of textbooks and into a sprawling garden, where learning unfolds through play and exploration.The timing of the initiative is telling. Panchmahal's SSC pass percentage slipped to 73.60% in 2025 from 81.75% in 2024, the second lowest among districts, underscoring the need for fresh approaches to learning.Amid greenery, a giant abacus, metal number lines, and life-sized shapes and angles form a vibrant ‘maths park'. Here, children don't just solve problems — they walk along number lines, touch geometric forms, and experience concepts firsthand. The first-of-its-kind initiative in Gujarat is turning abstract arithmetic and geometry into something tangible, intuitive, and even fun.The idea, design and execution were all driven by the school's teachers, who worked with local artisans instead of hiring external contractors.For maths teacher Shantilal Maliwad, the goal was simple: make an abstract subject tangible. "Maths is intangible, but the park makes it tangible for students. There are activities for both younger and older children," he said, adding that without such practical engagement, the subject can often seem dull and intimidating. His concern reflects a larger trend. Since the Gujarat board introduced standard and basic mathematics options in Class 10, fewer students have been opting for the standard level. Experts warn that if this continues, it could shrink the pipeline of students pursuing technical and pure science streams — making early interest in mathematics all the more crucial. The idea for the park began modestly. "We initially thought of installing a weighing scale to help children understand weight. But the idea grew, and we eventually conceptualised the entire maths park," said teacher Gopal Patel, who worked on the project along with principal Rakesh Patel and Maliwad. Today, the park features dedicated zones for shapes, angles, area, volume and more, covering eight key mathematical concepts. Students can physically measure dimensions, compare shapes, and understand unit conversions using metal strips marked in metres, inches and centimetres. Concepts like positive and negative integers are taught through a metal number line and even a customised ‘snakes and ladders' game incorporating both. Another interactive tool allows students to practise inequality signs by filling in numbers on either side of ‘<' and ‘>'. "The park is a result of our constant effort to bring innovative ideas into learning. We discuss and implement them together," Patel said. The school, selected as a model institution under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, is now drawing attention for turning mathematics from a feared subject into an interactive, outdoor experience — one number at a time.