National Spelling Bee kicks-off
The National Spelling Bee Championship competition has commenced in Monrovia, Montserrado County with 36 students from 12 counties vigorously competing.
According to Mr. Abraham Dagher, Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Minister for Instruction at the Ministry of Education, the Spelling Bee competition was initially launched by the Public Affairs Office of the United States Embassy near Monrovia in 2008, which hosted the first, second and third competition.
Mr. Dagher said in 2010, the ministry engaged the U.S. Embassy and subsequently took over the competition. He said the objective of the Spelling Bee competition is to promote the culture of reading in schools, particularly for children at primary level to be able to read and know how to spell well before getting to junior high level.
According to him, the National Spelling Bee Competition is an annual event and this year’s competition brings together 12 of the country’s 15 counties, adding three counties did not show up. Mr. Dagher said in order to enter the competition, a school must first win at the district and county levels before participating in the national competition, adding that at the national level, three students representing each county are competing, making a total of 36 students from the 12 counties.
He said following the grand final today, a prize of US$1,000 will be awarded to the first place winner to be followed by second place, US$800; and third place winner will receive US$500, respectively besides trophies and medals.
