Woeful performance of public schools and orphanage pupils in Abuja in a recent Spelling Bee Competition has prompted calls for the raising of education standards in the capital city.
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 schools, orphanage and private schools coming together to spell and win prizes at different categories.
David Emomotimi of Legacy Learning Hills Academy, New Karu, Abuja, bagged the first position in Category A, while Chigozie Chinweike came second and Solomon Confidence came third
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 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 third.
However, one thing stood out clear at the event, public schools and kids from the orphanages still have a long to go, as the difference between the contestants in terms of ability to spell was sadly obvious.
Anthony Okpo, an 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 orphanages are not just housed to draw sympathy from the public, but should truly and thoroughly enjoy learning and learning facilities”.
