By Ruth Kumwenda

Blantyre, December 1, Mana: Blantyre Secondary School (BSS) on Friday won the Cluster Spelling and Quiz Competition by outclassing three other contesting schools in preparation for cluster mock examinations, expected to be administered in the second term of the current 2024/2025 academic year.

BSS, which hosted the quiz competition, faced Rays of Hope Secondary School, Carlo Acutis Catholic High School and Ndirande Community Day Secondary School as Quiz Master, Ndaluza Themu took control of the contest.

The highly competitive quiz competition comprised several rounds in spelling, Mathematics, English, Biology, Financial Literacy and General Knowledge.

At the end of it, BSS scooped 28 points, Rays of Hope came closer with 27 points and Carlo Acutis came closer behind the runner-up with 26 points and Ndirande Community Day Secondary School came last with 21 points.

In her speech during the contest, BSS Headteacher, Hilda Gwauya said the competition was a celebration of the joy of learning and growing together as a family,

“Let’s remember to support each other. The competition is done for a good course to improve performance in our schools,” she added and described the spelling and quiz competition as a genuine testament to commitment towards academic excellence.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Carlo Acutis Secondary School, Headteacher, Chrissie Supedi said the competition was a great experience for her students.

“They have learnt a lot and they know where they need to improve in case we organize another activity. We look forward to another learning point,

“The competition has encouraged students to master public speaking,” the school head teacher added.   

Judith Nsokanya from BSS said was happy that her school emerged winner in what she described as tight contest, adding that this was her first appearance in a spelling and quiz competition.

Glory Chasowa from Carlo Acutis School team expressed dissatisfaction with becoming the third on the list.

“I am a bit disappointed, I thought we would win, but unfortunately we came third. This has given us the courage to work hard so that next time we come on top position,” Chasowa added.  

The spelling and quiz competition was spiced up by a talent show that included dances, and music by students from all the contesting four schools.

BSS, Rays of Hope, Carlo Acutis, and Ndirande secondary schools are in a cluster of 12 schools of which five are public while seven are private.