Maiden Kingsley Readathon awards winners
Kibi M/A Experimental Basic School and Kibi Ebenezer Presbyterian Basic School emerged victorious in the inaugural reading competition for basic two and three pupils, respectively.
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Known as the Kingsley Readathon Challenge, the competition was organized by Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, Kingdom Books and Stationery, Vibe Travel Consult, Luki Media Gh, JL Properties, Functions Risk Consult, and Beulah Insurance Brokers.
Over the past three months, basic two and three pupils from more than 20 schools in the Abuakwa South Municipality competed, culminating in the selection of six finalists.
Winners
The winners received electronic tablets, personal cash prizes, and cash donations for their schools. All participating schools received reading materials and were encouraged to establish reading clubs as part of the competition.
The schools competed in rounds, leading to the three top basic two and three schools vying for the championship title at the grand finale. They were tested on reading fluency, word spelling, comprehension, character description, and word building, among other skills.
Schools
For basic two, Ampofo Julia Ampomaa Gyimaa of Kibi M/A Experimental triumphed, followed by Princess Adu Ampofoa of Akosua Agyeiwaa Methodist and Dorothy Sopitey of Asiakwa Presbyterian Primary.
At the basic three level, Enoch Appiah Danquah of Kibi Ebenezer Presby Basic claimed the top spot, followed by Vanessa Afriyie Asante of Kibi Presbyterian College of Educations Demonstration Basic School and Abdul Kofi Bernard of Kibi M/A Experimental.
Vice-President's Visit
Just before the competition began at the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Hall at the Kibi Presbyterian College of Education, a Ghana Air Force helicopter carrying Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia landed on the school's football field.
Almost all of the 600 pupils, who were having breakfast of Milo and bread before the competition, and the students of the college rushed out to see the helicopter.
After disembarking, the Vice-President went around and interacted with the children.
Testimony
Dr. Agyemang remarked that the pupils' performance reflected the National Standardized Test results from 2015 and 2022.
He noted that while one school excelled in word formation, another impressed in spelling, and another performed exceptionally well in reading and comprehension, all results highlighted the work ahead for stakeholders.
He urged parents, education administrators, teachers, politicians, and guardians to collaborate in ensuring the children's success in all aspects of literacy. He also assured them that the Kingsley Readathon Challenge, its sponsors, and partners would continue to support their efforts.
Dr. Agyemang emphasized that the competition aimed to cultivate a love for reading and comprehension among pupils but also revealed inherent challenges. He urged all stakeholders within the educational ecosystem to work together to address these issues.
Statistics
Citing figures from the National Standardized Test, Dr. Agyemang revealed that only two percent of lower primary pupils could read in 2007, but this increased to 38% in 2022. He added that while progress had been made, significant room for improvement remained.
"This intervention aims to create excitement and foster a culture of reading and comprehension among children," he stated. He added that the competition had already inspired schools to establish reading clubs even before receiving the reading materials.
The Abuakwa South Municipal Director of Education, Comfort Ofori Appiah, expressed her delight at the competition's establishment and mentioned that the District Teacher Support Team had been actively training and supporting teachers in preparing the pupils.
She acknowledged that the competition had boosted pupils' interest in reading, leading to improved reading and comprehension skills. She assured the audience that the directorate would continue to support the competition.
