The participating schools will be placed in four groups of three each, four of which will be eliminated on the first day and eight will qualify for the second stage. Another four schools will go out of the competition on 8th March, thereby getting the four finalists that will flex their academic muscles in the finals on 15th March 2019. The pupils will be quizzed on the life and activities of the late Dr. Vincent Lamin Kanu, and current affairs especially in core areas in their fields of study.
The organizers have temporarily placed the following prizes at stake: the Star Quizzer will take home Le1 million and the best school will bag Le1 million, the individual Runner-up will receive Le500,000 and the school will get Le750,000, and the second individual runner-up will get Le300,000 whilst the school has Le500,000 to enjoy. The organizers say each school is expected to send 13 pupils with three debaters inclusive, the others will serve as supporters and two teachers at most should accompany the pupils to the competition.
Stanley Bangura Jr is the Secretary-General of the Trust. He told a news conference at the Wusum Hotel in Makeni on Friday that the competition will be held in honor of the late businessmen and philanthropist, Dr. Vincent Kanu who supported diverse fields of development, including agriculture, tourism, job creation, education etc. “After his call to eternity we realize the need to remember his good works, especially his investment in education that benefited thousands, ” he said and added that the trust has short-term, medium-term and long-term plans. The quiz competition, he said is part of the short-term plan, which is a starting point for so many development events coming up.
The Trust, Bangura said to comprise of two eminent personalities that have not only benefited from the late Hero, but also have the courage to replicate his good goodwill support to young people and the community.
Ahmid Fornah, Chairman Conference of Principals in Bombali District underscored the importance of having such a good competition around the schooling system that will help them realize the importance of teaching and learning. He thanked the Trust for the extracurricular event that he wholeheartedly supports.
Chairman of the Trust, Hon. Martin Bangura expressed nice sentiments about the late man who succeeded in inspiring and supporting lots of entrepreneurs. “I remain indebted to him as one of those he empowered with knowledge to do business, ” the Chairman said, noting that the Trust will ensure keeping the late man’s vision alive as it will continue with his activities. Hon. Bangura assured the participating schools and pupils that the packages at stake will be increased. He implored them to see the event as an intellectual fight and not a physical fight. “We will continue to support the project, especially the education sector in complimenting the government’s free education initiative, and we consider it as a key to our development,” he said.
