BUSHENYI
Parental Care Nursery and Primary School in Bushenyi District will represent Uganda at this year’s Africa Spelling Bee Competition in Algeria next month, after emerging the overall national winner.
The national contest, organized by Enjuba Spelling Bee Uganda, was held over the weekend at Serena Hotel in Kampala and attracted schools from across the country.
The competition, which seeks to improve English proficiency and literacy among learners, supports Uganda’s transition to English-based education.
Arinaitwe Leah, a pupil from Parental Care Nursery and Primary School, was among the top performers and received a dummy cheque worth Shs1.5 million. Other winners, including Amollo Jonathan from Tororo Parents School and Lwanga Peter Sendi from Pax Junior School, were awarded trophies, medals, and scholastic materials.
Speaking at the event, Aaron Kirunda, the Chief Executive Officer of Enjuba, revealed plans to introduce a new category for children aged 5 to 8 years starting next year.
“We have data from teachers across the country showing that 84 percent of children who participate in the Spelling Bee gain more confidence, while 92 percent improve in their reading and spelling,” Kirunda said.
He emphasized that the competition has significantly boosted literacy levels and learners’ self-esteem across Uganda.
Owamasiko Andrela, one of the trainers at Parental Care, attributed their success to consistency and teamwork.
“What made us perform well was the constant training and engagement with our learners. Our trainers provided spelling exercises and guided pupils through regular rehearsals,” she said.
The headteacher, Desmond Tayebwa, lauded the school’s holistic approach to education, saying the victory reflected discipline and teamwork among both staff and learners.
“Our good performance is a result of teamwork, discipline, and focus. We appreciate our director’s support for extracurricular activities, which enables our learners to excel beyond the classroom,” Tayebwa said.
Kyoshabire Iryne, the Spelling Bee Club trainer and patron, described the win as a rewarding experience for the learners.
“This victory is the result of a lot of practice. The students have learned new vocabulary, improved their confidence, and strengthened their critical thinking,” she said.
She added that improved spelling skills directly contribute to better academic performance.
“Many students fail exams because of spelling difficulties. Through the Spelling Bee, our learners have gained accuracy and confidence that will help them excel in all subjects,” Kyoshabire added.
