Good writing skills for many pupils have been seriously challenged just as the culture of reading has faded away in the lives of the present generation. Giving the Keynote address, Amara Sowa said the pedagogy is wrong and the teaching methodology outdated, noting that it is high time the school system grows beyond routine learning methodology. It is not a secret that children have struggled for a very long time in the area of access to learning resources. Sometimes, even where the materials are available children are not programmed to clearly understand these materials. However Mr. Sowa revealed that a new curriculum for Junior Secondary Schools will be rolled out from now to June 2020 adding that the development of a new curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools will soon commence.
GRAND was established by people from different walks of life to channel individual resources to boost human capacity especially for young people to contribute in national development. The 2019 Essay competition is an attempt to involve young people in charting the way forward and proffer solutions to problems affecting the country.
The winner of the 2019 essay competition Naomi Kargbo a pupil of Annie Walsh Memorial School emerged with the grand prize of Three Million Leones, one trophy and a parcel of four text books. The Second winner Mariama B. Karku emerged with Two Million Leones, one trophy and a parcel of four text books. There is a tie in the third position between Zainab S. Tholley and Karim Ansu who both received one Million Leones in addition to one trophy a parcel of four text books each. Girls are highly encouraged to participate as according to Naomi Kargbo this is women’s world noting that that have proven it as three of the four winners are all girls.
With thousands of pupils across the country, only 15 pupils participated even though the writing competition was open to all secondary school pupils according to GRAND. Pupils across the country are encouraged to participate in the next competition for them to be empowered and contribute to national development.
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education promised to partner with GRAND for pupils’ positive outcomes in the area of writing skills submitting that civic education and life skills training would soon be incorporated in school curriculum to build a better Sierra Leone and develop responsible citizens.
