By Margret Praise Kalua

NKhata Bay, February 25, Mana: Education stakeholders in Nkhatabay have commended World Vision for improving learner’s literacy levels through the Spelling Bee initiative which they are, currently, implementing in the district.

This was said at Sanga Community Day Secondary School ground in the district on Saturday where 74 learners from 15 schools were engaged in a Spelling Bee competition.

Primary Education Advisor (PEA) for St Maria Gorreti Zone, Adrian Kalengo, said there is improved performance of learners in schools that are participating in the competition.

"When we compare schools that are participating in the competition such as Chikale, Bwerero, Kachenga and Lisale, they are performing much better than those that are not part of the area program in Nkhata Bay," Kalengo said.

He has since asked World Vision to train teachers in the initiative for its sustainability and incorporate more schools in the programme.

Secretary for Sanga Area Program Education Taskforce, Alick Manda, said Spelling Bee has boosted focus and activeness of leaners on education as most of the times they put effort in mastering spellings and pronunciation.

In a separate interview, World Vision Education Project Officer for Nkhata Bay and Mzimba, Faith Nyirenda, said the programme is achieving its intended purpose as there is an improvement in vocabulary, reading and communication skills.

"Considering the positive impact of the programme, we are already working on its sustainability through imparting skills and knowledge to taskforce teachers so that they can continue drilling learners even when the programme phases out," Nyirenda said.