Tongpang Ozukum and officials with organizer on day one of 10th edition of Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship 2023’ on October 5. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Jotsoma | October 5
The 10th edition of Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship 2023 under the aegis of Fountain Club in collaboration with State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT) Nagaland got underway at RCEMPA, Jotsoma near Kohima on October 5.
This 10th edition witnessed 76 participants from 39 schools in six districts of Chümoukedima, Dimapur, Phek, Kohima, Wokha and Zunheboto.
Gracing the inaugural function as “Bee Guest,” Nagaland Water Resources Department Advisor Tongpang Ozukum acknowledged the vision of the Fountain Club in grooming the students in spelling bee event. “The objective with which they have started with this spelling bee championship, is commendable and praiseworthy,” Ozukum said.
Also thanking the support of SCERT, the Advisor said, “Your commitment to foster literacy and language skills among the students is truly appreciated.”
Ozukum maintained that the Fountain Club and SCERT have been making positive impact to the lives of the students and building a stronger and more literate community. In this, he called upon the students to participate in such kind of competition with seriousness to improve their vocabulary and language skills.
“It will also enhance your cognitive ability and build a sense of confidence,” Ozukum told the students.
Urges more participation from Govt schools
Nagaland SCERT Director, Kevirale-u Kerhuo informed that the Nagaland Spelling Bee Championship was conceptualized and launched in 2012 in partnership with Fountain Club Kohima.
She informed that the main objective of the competition is to increase vocabulary and to develop the current English usages.
She said that spelling is considered as one of the indispensable skills in written communication.
Kerhuo said that learning more spellings widen children vocabulary and expose them to richer set of linguistic patterns.
Meanwhile, she urged upon the government schools to participate in such kind of spelling bee competition to enhance language skills.
‘Correct spelling is imperative to literary development’
Organizing committee Convenor, Vipopal Kintso said that the Fountain Club has decided to organize Spelling bee competition, saying “Although it is in imitation we were convince of the benefits to emulate and ameliorate for our young students.”
Besides many other positive points, Kintso said, we were convinced that promoting this exercise of spelling words, inculcate and stimulate young students to develop the habit and love for reading while instilling the fact that clearly understanding the meaning and origin of words is the key to learning and acquiring knowledge; provide a perspective to the students to meaningfully engaged in the use of English, which will lead to command over their academic syllabus and give the confidence and competency to communicate eloquently, both verbal and written.”
Also, it help enhance the students memory and retention capabilities and sharpens their reflective capacities, widens the students vocabulary “as it will expose them to varied words, origin and usages and make them value and understand that correct spelling is imperative to literary development; facilitate students to confidently face and excel in various forms and level of competition.”
With that conviction, he said that the first Nagaland Spelling Bee championship started in 2012.
Earlier, Naroti Jamir compered the inaugural function while Khriekethozo Pucho, pastor Kidima Baptist Church invoked God’s blessings. Vikopeno Meyase presented a special number.
Meanwhile, MLA Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso will be the special guest for valedictory function on October 6 at 4:00 pm. An overview of the Spelling Bee Championship will be shared by Dr Zavise Rume, Deputy Director, SCERT, Nagaland. Vote of thanks will be proposed by Fountain Club chairman Ruokuovikho Chale.
