Kumasi, Aug 19, GNA - Mr Kodwo Morgan, Director of the National Spelling Zee (NSZ) of Quest Events, a management company in Accra, has said the level of oral and written English in schools was bad. He said the government and other stakeholders had shown deep concern and put pragmatic measures in place to address the problem.

Mr Morgan was speaking at the maiden 2008 National Spelling Zee championship competition held in Accra last Friday. Organised by Quest Events in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES), the competition was sponsored by Tigo, a mobile communication provider.

Miss Gladys Mankosa, a pupil of Ahensan Good Shephered Catholic Junior High School in Kumasi, came first among the 30 contestants selected nationwide.

Nana Kofi Mensah of Saint Stephen's Catholic JHS in Accra came second while Master Jesse Assan of Pedu Montessori JHS in Cape Coast took the third position.

Each of the three champions received an airline ticket from Kenya Airways for a one-week visit to Kenya, one year educational sponsorship from Donewell Insurance Company and one year free Internet subscription also sponsored by Busy Internet in Accra.

Quest Events had earlier organised similar competition in all the 10 regions and selected the best three from each region for the finals and each of the regional champions received a desktop computer and accessories.

Mr Morgan said NSZ formed part of an elaborate programme by Quest Events to create solid foundation in the English Language at the basic level.