The Islamic Basic School at Nkran-Nkwanta in the Dormaa West District emerged champions in the District’s inter-Circuits 2014 Reading competition.

They bagged 187 points after the end of a three-round novelty contest of the six-school competition

The competition, on the theme “Reading, a Fundamental Tool to Arrest the Fallen Standard of Education in the Dormaa West District” was sponsored by the Centre for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation (CePME), an Accra-based educational non-governmental organisation.

God’s Love International, a private experimental school gained 159 points to place second, followed by Diabaakrom District Assembly Primary with 144.5 points, while Kwabena Krakrom DA, Kwabena Dwomo DA and Yaakrom Roman Catholic Schools collected 133, 128, and 119.5 points in that order.

Competitors, comprising male and female from each school were assessed in areas like correct pronunciation, word attacked skills, sense group reading, fluency or speed, automation in reading and public appeal.

The competitors read basic school English and Asante Twi text books and some past issues of Junior Graphic newspaper, the latter formed part of what the organisers termed as “Unseen Test” material.

Mr. Isaac Nsiah Edwards, Dormaa Central Municipal Director of Education with oversight responsibility for Dormaa West Education Directorate expressed appreciation to the Management of CePME, particularly Dr. Kenneth Asamoah-Gyimah, Training Coordinator of the Organisation for sponsoring the competition.

Mr. Edwards stated that standard of education in the area was low and therefore expressed optimism that the Directorate’s partnership with CePME would enhance teaching and learning to improve upon it.

Dr. Asamoah-Gyimah, who is also a Senior Lecture at the University of Cape Coast, said the goal of his Organisation was offering in-service training for basic school teachers all over the country.

This would enable them to train their counterparts in the form of trainer of trainees exercise, as well as monitoring and evaluating activities of beneficiary schools.

CePME, he added, also organises terminal and mock examinations for Class Five Pupils and Junior High School (JHS) students through the Organisation’s team of trainers, citing Bongo near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, and Hwidiem, Kenyasi, Goaso all in the Brong-Ahafo Region as beneficiary areas.

Cash prizes, books and certificates were distributed to the competing schools.

Master Fatau Ibrahim of Islamic International was adjudged the “Most Outstanding Reader” while Master Inusah Musah of Diabaakrom D/A School, clever but most challenged pupil and received school uniform and a school bag provided by Mr. Edwards.