The woeful performance of public schools and pupils from orphanages in Abuja in a recent Spelling Bee competition has prompted calls for raising education standards in the FCT.
Project Hope Spelling Bee Season 5, put together by Paraclete Hope Foundation in collaboration with Helpline Social Support Initiative, saw pupils and students from public, orphanage, and private schools come together to spell and win prizes in different categories.
David Emomotimi of Legacy Learning Hills Academy, New Karu, Abuja, bagged the first (1st ) position in Category A, while Chigozie Chinweike came 2nd and Solomon Confidence third position both from Commanders of Destiny Academy, New Nyanya, Nasarawa State.
The competition, which is made up of two categories of contestants, saw in Category B Oche David clinging to the first (1st ) position from Grace and Honour College, New Karu, while Obasi Grace of Commanders of Destiny College bagged the second position, and Greatness Gideon of Legacy Learning Hills Academy came through with the third position.
However, one thing stood out clear at the event: the public schools and kids from the orphanages still have a long way to go, as the difference between the contestants in terms of their ability to spell was sadly obvious.
Anthony Okpo, an FCT educationist, while appealing for increased support from the public sector to sustain literacy programmes, said, “More has to be done to ensure that children at the orphanages are not just housed to draw sympathy from the public, but should truly and thoroughly enjoy learning and learning facilities”.
While not all contestants ended up winning tickets, many left with renewed motivation and valuable feedback from the judges.
