Maths School multiplies presence

National MP K S Bakshi speaking at the opening of the Papatoetoe branch of Yogi Institute

A Mathematics teacher, dedicated to spreading the love of the subject among school students, has marked his presence in Manukau City.

Yogendra Advaryu, popularly known as ‘Mr Yogi,’ opened a branch of his popular ‘Yogi Institute,’ on 89, Great South Road in Papatoetoe on February 7.

National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi said the Institute was rendering commendable service to the student community.

“South Auckland in general and Papatoetoe in particular has a growing population of Indian and other ethnic communities. Yogi Institute will prove to be a great boon to students living in this area,” he said.

More than 200 people attended the inaugural ceremony. Among them were East Tamaki Health Care Chief Executive Dr Kantilal Patel, Auckland Indian Association President Harshad Patel, Kishan Raj of Chinmaya Mission New Zealand and Social Worker Pratima Nand.

Hundreds of students have benefited from Mr Yogi’s ‘magical style’ of teaching, performed well in mathematics and have set their sights on scholastic success, leading to progressive careers.

Many are currently pursuing engineering, medicine, computer sciences and similar ‘calculative’ subjects that will help them become successful professionals.

Athurva Kulkarni, Year 11 student and Kartik Yagnanarayanan, an engineering student at the University of Auckland, shared their learning experience at Yogi Institute.

They said the method of teaching made Mathematics an easy subject.

Mr Yogi agreed, saying Mathematics was neither a fearsome nor a despicable subject.

“It needs concentration, regular practice and of course ‘respect and attention.’ This is the only subject which provides opportunities for students to score maximum marks,” he said.

From a couple of students taught in their homes eight years ago, Yogi Institute in Mt Roskill today boasts of hundreds of students attending weekly classes between 530  pm and 7 pm and from 7 pm to 830 pm.

As well as teaching mathematics to students from Year 7 to Year 13 (including NCEA Levels one to three), Mr Yogi teaches Science to Year 10 and 11 students (NCEA 1) and Physics, Chemistry and Biology to Year 12 and 13 students (NCEA 2 and 3).

Each batch is restricted to about 15 or 20 students to enable Mr Yogi to devote personal attention and each student takes home substantial homework.

“I have an obligation not only to my students but also to their parents. I am aware that they attend the Institute because of its reputation for quality teaching and quality learning. I am happy and proud that my students are doing well in their career after obtaining their university degrees, while those attending tertiary institutions can look forward to a bright future,” he said.

Mr Yogi said that while many children were keen to improve their mathematical skills, distance was often a deterring factor.

“I hope that the branch in Papatoetoe will encourage more children to ‘have fun’ with mathematics.

“It will be open on Saturdays from 9 am to 9 pm and on Sundays from 3 pm to 9 pm. Students now have a choice of Mt Roskill and the new facility,” he said.

Mr Yogi said it was fear of the subject that kept many children from advancing in mathematics.

“I am happy that hundreds of children have been able to overcome this fear and do well in their examinations. Many of them are now engineering graduates doing well in their university education. They can look forward to a bright future,” he said.