Some 99 Spelling Bee finalists are set to show their prowess Saturday February 03, in a nerve-wracking contest for national glory. The young spellers will display resilience, tenacity, exceptional word knowledge and exhibition of language excellence and linguistic diversity. From the preliminary stages in March 2023, the programme has seen an overwhelming response, with over 300 young persons diving into the world of words through months of rigorous grooming, training, coaching, and assessments. In a statement, Organisers of the event said this year's national finalists come from various cities, including Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Sunyani, Peduase, Obuasi, and Tamale. It said two Ghanaian spellers now domiciled in the UK and Canada would join the competition for the first time, adding an international dimension to the event. Spelling Bee Ghana has embraced the concept of 'returning spellers' - allowing participants from previous years to make a triumphant comeback. Notably, N'Adom Darko-Asare, the first speller since the programme's inception in 2008, will achieve this remarkable feat, embodying the spirit of perseverance and love for the competition. The inclusion policy of the Spelling Bee Ghana also provides opportunities for the participation of 10 deaf students from Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf. 'The stakes are high, with the winner set to receive a prize package worth $10,000-plus, including an all-expense-paid trip to the Scripps Spelling Bee in the USA, to represent Ghana as the only African country in the programme,' the statement said. Ms. Eugenia Tachie-Menson, Country Director, Young Educators Foundation, organisers of The Spelling Bee - GH, said: 'We are thrilled to witness the culmination of months of hard work and dedication from our spellers.' 'The Spelling Bee - Ghana 2024 is not just a competition, it's celebration of language, diversity, and academic excellence. We extend our gratitude to our partners and sponsors for their unwavering support, without which this event w ouldn't be possible,' she said. The Spelling Bee - Ghana is a premier national spelling competition aimed at promoting literacy, vocabulary, and a love for language among Ghanaian youth. Since its inception in 2008, the programme has become a platform for young spellers to showcase their linguistic talents on a national and international stage. Source: Ghana News Agency About 500 learners who sat for KCPE examinations last year in Murang'a County are yet to join secondary school. Murang'a County Director of Education Ann Kiilu has confirmed that by January 30th, the county had recorded a 97 percent transition to secondary schools. In an interview with KNA in her office Kiilu noted that Murang'a South Sub County has the highest number of learners who are yet to join high school. 'Currently Murang'a South has 207 students who are yet to join Form-one, followed by Ithanga with 100, Kigumo 87 and Mathioya with 47,' she revealed on Wednesday. The director further stated that Kandara, Murang'a East, Gatanga and Kangema sub-counties have recorded a 100 percent transition to high school. She added that of the total 27,214 learners who sat their KCPE in the county last year, 165 have opted for local vocational training centers adding that a multi-agency team is on the ground to mop up those who are yet to transition either to high schools or to vocational colleges. 'Education officers assisted by chiefs and their assistants and other stakeholders are joining hands to look for the students who are yet to join secondary school or a vocational training centre,' she said. 'Since the mop-up exercise commenced last week, some learners have been assisted to join various secondary schools. We will continue searching for the missing students and ensure they either join high schools or vocational training centres,' Kiilu averred. Kiilu further urged parents whose children are yet to join Form-one, to consider taking them to local day-secondary schools. 'We understand there might be challenges preventing some parents from taking their children to schools they were admitted to but there is an option of joining a day secondary school which is easily accessible. 'In Murang'a County, we have many day secondary schools which perform well both in academics and extracurricular activities,' she said. Source: Kenya News Agency
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