The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Basic School has organised the 2023 edition of the Annual Spelling Bee and Quiz Competition for pupils from kindergarten (KG) 2 to Basic 6. The annual competition, held at the School’s Assembly Hall aims at developing the confidence, and exposure of learners to healthy competitions, improving spelling and ultimately enhancing the reading habits of learners from the Basic School.
According to the Head of the KNUST Basic Schools, Rev. (Mrs.) Irene O. Nkansah, the ‘Spelling Bee’ has set its position as a cornerstone of the academic curriculum. She further emphasised the competition's invaluable role in equipping students with a wide range of vocabulary and expanding their knowledge in various fields of study. Rev. (Mrs.) Nkansah revealed that last year, the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation sponsored two learners from the KNUST Basic School, and this year, the Foundation has generously extended its support to four students. Additionally, seven other students were sponsored by their parents, highlighting the growing significance and popularity of the event. She thanked the Organising Committee and teachers for their immense support in making the event a reality.
The Basic Schools Board Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs.) Rosemary Boateng Coffie expressed her delight at the pupils’ performances in the various rounds of the competition. She encouraged teachers, parents, and guardians to speak more of the local language with their wards at home. She hoped that the competition will be extended to other schools.
Dr. (Mrs.) Philomena Ama Okyeso Yeboah, Head of the Department of English, KNUST noted that Spelling Bee is the bedrock of language to showcase correctness in the spelling of words and reflect the mastery of the way words used are being pronounced. She said the Department was elated for the opportunity to collaborate with the KNUST Basic School to sharpen pupils’ vocabulary.
Contestants took turns behind the microphone to munch words in English and other languages. After three rounds of contest, Nunoo Dara Ama Nyamedzi from the KG2 Yellow Section earned 27 points to emerge as the winner.
Other outstanding contestants were: Boakye Bhavani Paz from Basic 1, Habib Mukawakil Hussein from Basic 2, Timtooni Anisa Iddris from Basic 4, and Antwi Matilda Twumasiwa from Basic 5 emerged winners with 24, 24, 17, and 18 points respectively.
In the quiz competition organised among pupils in Basics 3 and 6, Adwoa Pokuaa Osei-Agyemang, Samuel Etornam Deku, and Stephanie Adwoa Arthur representing Basic 3B; Bernadette Nhyira Amesinu Ansere, Morian Achiaa Agyemang Prempeh, and Kwasi Agyarko, representing Basic 6C and D, emerged as winners with 68, and 69.5 points, respectively.
Winners of the contest received an amount of Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHȻ100) each sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Kwadwo Bediako Baryeh. Certificates of participation, citations, trophies, and medals were given to winners of the quiz and spelling bee competition.
The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Michael Gyan Kwaffo on behalf of the Committee expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors for their overwhelming support and contribution to making the event a success. The sponsors were: The Department of English Language, E-Learning Centre KNUST, Jackson Educational Complex, University Printing Press, SSAK-KNUST, UTAG-KNUST, PTA-KNUST Basic Schools, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ll Foundation, Amaris Educational Complex, Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei (Department Environmental Science), Mrs. Kezia Amaning Adjei (Assistant Registrar-AAMUSTED), Dr. Godwin Acquah, Mr. and Mrs. Kwadwo Bediako Baryeh, Mrs. Cara Aidoo and Dr. Alfred Aidoo, Mad. Aisha Ibrahim Salifu, Mrs. Felicity Josephine Adom, Mr. Anyimadu among others.
