Praia 2024
What is the need for the spelling bee project?
The mastering of languages in general and English language in particular are practically unconditional nowadays. Considering that Cape Verde is a country that is developing rapidly, but it’s also open to the world, in terms of tourism, culture, sport and the economy, among other areas; Cape Verde is also a country with a much larger population in the diaspora than on the islands. With so many other reasons of interest, English Development Centre – EDC Praia and its partners decided to make a contribution through this project to:
- Improve literacy and academic excellence, as well as strengthen participants’ spelling skills, vocabulary mastering and general language proficiency;
- Increase self-confidence, improve memory and foster a spirit of healthy competition and fair play among the participants.
3. Promote entertainment and strengthen interpersonal and institutional relationships.
General Objectives
Improving learning outcomes: By involving students in a competitive but friendly environment, we can improve their language skills, their vocabulary and their overall academic performance. The competition will serve as a catalyst for improving the educational outcomes of primary school students, towards a successful pathway
Encouraging participation: By holding a regional spelling bee, maximum participation is encouraged from primary schools across the island of Santiago. This inclusive approach will ensure fair representation and diversity, thus promoting unity and social cohesion.
Promoting teamwork and sportsmanship: Through this initiative, we endeavour to transmit values of teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship among our young pupils. They will learn the importance of healthy competition, fair play and courtesy, both in victory and defeat.
Recognising excellence: The regional spelling bee will highlight and celebrate outstanding student, giving them well-deserved recognition for their hard work and dedication. This recognition will not only boost their confidence, but also inspire other students to strive for excellence.
Key target audience
Fifth and sixth grade students from public and private schools in all of the municipalities of Santiago.
Expected Outcomes
Beyond the statistics, which are also very important, we intend to prioritise the following results:
1. Improved literacy and academic excellence;
2. The participants’ spelling skills, command of vocabulary and general language proficiency are strengthened;
3. Improved self-confidence and motivation, a spirit of healthy competition, teamwork and fair play among the participants;
4. Entertainment fuelled, interpersonal and institutional relationships strengthened.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
SDG5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
SDG10. Reduce inequality within and between countries
The inaugural edition
The first edition of the Regional Spelling Bee was successfully concluded with 20 finalists competing for first place on Saturday, July 29, 2024. After several interesting rounds, full of emotions and surprising reactions from the audience.
KAILA BRITO was crowned champion of the Regional SPELLING BEE – SANTIAGO 2024. KAILA BRITO, a 6th grader at Escola 13 de Janeiro, who represented the municipality of Praia, is the first champion of this annual youth education competition and, of course, she is the face of REGIONAL SPELLING BEE until June 2025, when the title will be contested.
NOA VICTORIA DANTAS BERNARDINO MONTEIRO, a 5th grader at the Portuguese School of Cape Verde and NUANY ANICIA MARTA LEITE, a student at English Development, also a 5th grader, came 2nd and 3rd respectively.
We would like to thank Praia City Council for their partnership and sponsorship of the initiative, São Domingos City Council, Ribeira Grande de Santiago City Council and São Lourenço dos Órgãos City Council for their collaboration and logistical support. Our deepest thanks go to the education delegates from Praia, São Domingos, Órgãos and Ribeira Grande de Santiago for their unconditional support all the way to the final. Spelling Bee 2024 would certainly not have been so competitive and successful without the dedication of the English language coordinators and teachers who meticulously prepared their students for the internal, local and then final competitions.
The first edition of the Regional Spelling Bee was successfully concluded with 20 finalists competing for first place on Saturday, July 29, 2024. After several interesting rounds, full of emotions and surprising reactions from the audience, KAILA BRITO was crowned champion of the Regional SPELLING BEE – SANTIAGO 2024. KAILA BRITO, a 6th grader at Escola 13 de Janeiro, who represented the municipality of Praia, is the first champion of this annual youth education competition and, of course, the face of the REGIONAL.
And to the partners of this commendable initiative, Arquivo Nacional de Cabo Verde Samsung Cabo Verde Cavibel & Ceris Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company Cabo Verde Ecobank Cabo Verde, Thank you for being such valuable partners and for your invaluable contributions to this meaningful cause. We look forward to continuing our partnership and making a difference in students’ lives through the promotion of literacy and language skills.
Congratulations to all the students. We encourage all students, including those from cities that were unable to participate this year due to some reasons, to prepare more. We hope to see you in the final in 2025.
English Development Centre - EDC 