The Kumon model has been a proven system of learning mathematical fundamentals since it was established in 1958 by high-school teacher Toru Kumon to help his son improve his math skills. 

His worksheet, self-learning approach has stood the test of time, and perfectly fits advice from the Grattan Institute – teach children the simple foundations of maths at a young age.

According to Grattan Institude’s 2025 Maths Guarantee report, Australia faces some challenges in its numeracy education. 

The report, which focuses on boosting children’s learning in primary schools, reveals some striking statistics. In a 2023 international maths test, only 13 per cent of Australia’s Year 4 students excelled. This figure is level with the US but way below the UK’s 22 per cent and Singapore’s impressive 49 per cent.

Christopher Melrose, deputy general manager at Kumon Australia, is sympathetic to the challenges teachers face with the school curriculum moving away from traditional learning techniques. 

The practice of consistently completing worksheets, and repeated practice, builds skill levels, and confidence, Christopher points out.

“Maths teaching, particularly in primary, should be really explicit and systematic, with excellent curriculum materials, and methods of assessment. 

Kumon helps build solid foundations in maths

“Students need to be taught a new concept very clearly, in small chunks with clear examples, step by step models, and lots of opportunities to practice,” Christopher says. 

“There is enormous pressure on teachers and we believe we can help support maths education in Australia.”

He agrees with the Grattan Institute, that to lift maths achievement, it is necessary to build solid foundations in the early years.

“Some children are going into high school without the fundamentals. They lack the basic four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.”

And that’s why Kumon works so well at the building blocks of learning.

Toru Kumon created a curriculum for developing accuracy, and fluency, in the four basics at primary school level that could employ a higher level of thinking and enable the students to engage in different concepts.

“Kumon is quite explicit, and systematic, and step-by-step. It aims to have all students completing additions and subtractions, and do these fluently and quickly by year 2. Multiplication and division follow on,” he says.

The majority of students first enrol in years 2 or 3, so the Kumon system is able to support their learning from an early age.

Children become comfortable with independent learning

New students undergo an assessment which identifies their learning levels, regardless of age or school years.

“We have a really fantastic curriculum across Australia, and an advanced student honour roll which is our internal record system. We have more than 30 per cent of children enrolled in Kumon on worksheets ahead of their school grade level,” Christopher says.

“At Kumon we are always aiming to raise the levels so children don’t get bogged down trying to keep up,” he says.

While Kumon focuses on the fundamentals of maths and reading, the benefits extend beyond these basics.

“When children advance beyond their school grades, school is easier for them; they gain confidence and are unafraid to tackle something new,” Christopher says. “They have time for extra curricular activities, they are comfortable with independent learning.

“When children are taught maths well, they benefit holistically. If they are not taught well, they are robbed of a core life skill.”

The right materials are key to the learning process and Kumon is constantly updating self-learning materials, designed for independent study.

Rather than teaching the topics, instructors are guiding the students step-by-step on how to use the material – whether they are working with a pencil and paper, or on a tablet.

A rigorous approach to learning

Rigorous recruitment of franchisees and instructors is crucial to maintaining the high standards of learning. 

“We ensure we have the right people working with children, who are not just profit driven, but want to make a contribution to community,” Christopher says.

Kumon franchisees are keen to have an impact on children’s education in a meaningful way.

“We are supporting maths teachers and the development of maths in Australia. And we want to help improve the standards of excellence,” he says.