Swami Pumandan Primary pupil triumphs at Region Four Spelling Bee finale

Jun 09, 2019 News

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A grand spelling bee finale spearheaded by the Region Four Department of Education saw the winners of the nine clusters, which made up the competition, battling for supremacy. The nine competitors who faced off Friday had all won their respective clusters’ competition which allowed them to be named finalists.

Those competing for the regional title were Renuka Somwaru of Virgina Primary; Jasmine Jairam of Annandale Primary; Anneisa Rampersaud of Dora Primary; Amar Gordon of St. Paul’s Primary; Nicholoi Morris of Kuru Kuru Primary; Jamaul John of Eccles Primary; Olicia Joseph of Kuru Kururu Primary; Leikshya Lakhraj of New Diamond Grove Primary and Josh Jailall of Swami Pumandan Primary.
At the end of the thrilling competition, it was Josh Jailall who walked away with the winning title.
The competition, which was organised by the Literacy Division at the Department of Education, was witnessed by several pupils and their teachers.
Head of the Literacy Division, Barbara Richards, ahead of the competition, told those in attendance that while in previous years pupils were given the words so that they can adequately prepare, this year’s competition was executed differently.
She said that they were only told about the topics that the words would be coming from, thus leaving an element of surprise for all competing.
She, however, noted that the pupils were prepped to broaden their scope of words, adding that the competition was being used to test their ability to understand sounds, while breaking the words into syllables so as to effectively spell them.

“Today’s competition is different as you the competitors were only given the topics and I am glad to recognise that we are blessed in Region Four with a number of highly intelligent children who can properly represent us,” she said.
She nevertheless encouraged them to continue spelling even as she reminded them that it forms part of their holistic development into rounded students. She also congratulated the teachers from the various schools, stressing that the issue of literacy is being pushed significantly within the Region as part of moves to enhance literacy development.
“I urge both the pupils and teachers to continue working on spelling…spell, spell, and spell because it will certainly improve your overall ability in doing better at school… For the teachers, it will enhance the standards within your classroom,” Richards said.
Acting Regional Education Officer, Tiffany Harvey, admitted that she was elated to grace the event, even as she renewed her department’s commitment to continue supporting and organising activities of a similar nature. This move, she said, is designed to improve the educational standards within the Region.
“We are the best Region; we have the best pupils and we will continue to lead the way in terms of ensuring that activities like these continue.
I am very proud of my babies (pupils) who have reached the finals, and let me congratulate you all because you are all winners; you are all champions and for that congratulations,” she said. She went on to urge that regardless of the results, they should not give up but rather persevere while seriously continuing the pursuit of spelling. She added too that the winners will have the esteemed opportunity at representing the Region nationally.
She, however, noted, “While you are all champions, only one of you will go onto the national finals but the good thing is that whoever wins, we as a Region will come together and work with you to ensure that you can bring the (national) title to this Region.
“We are very happy with the standard and level of spelling within our Region and that is why I firmly believe that you are all deserving of praises and best wishes.”
The competition was divided into three rounds. Those who failed to spell correctly words posed to them were eliminated at the end of the respective rounds. However, in determining the third place winner, there was a tie and another round was added to end the tie breaker.
In rounds one and two, two pupils were eliminated, while after the tie breaker, Nicholoi Morris of Kuru Kuru copped third place and Leikshaya Lakhaj of New Diamond Grove Primary placed second.
Claiming the winning title was Josh Jailall of Swami Pumandan Primary. However, the lad, who wasn’t a favourite at the start, convincingly won the competition. He and the second place winner were each the recipient of a tablet, compliments of Ansa McAl, while Morris, the third place winner, won a quantity of books valued at $10,000.
Meanwhile, Ansa Mc Al Brand Coordinator, Fharis Mohamed, said that his company was pleased to be supporting yet another venture spearheaded by Region Four’s Department of Education.
He stressed that his company remains committed to the development of education, noting that the youths are certainly the future leaders and Ansa Mc Al will continue to play its part in their development.

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