By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Tuesday 30th June, 2020 the Centre for Academic Excellence and Research-Sierra Leone, (CAER-SL) has awarded prizes, which include literature books for secondary school pupils and university students as well as Certificates to the winners who participated in their organized Online Essay and Poetry Competition during an auspicious ceremony held at the National Youth Commission Brookfield in Freetown.
The recipients of these awards include Jonathan C. L Kamara from the Umar Bond Wurie Mission School, Freetown who emerged as winner of the best Essay in the secondary school category, on the topic; “The Role of Parents in the fight against COVID’19” and James Ade Williams from Fourah Bay College who emerged with the best Essay in the University category on the topic; “The Impact of COVID’19 on the International Political Economy.”
Samuel Prince Moody, from the Prince of Wales Secondary School in Freetown, emerged as winner of the best poetry in the secondary school category and Alhpa S. Bah from Fourah Bay College also emerged with the best poetry in the University category. The second, third, fourth and fifth runners-up for all categories were presented Certificates of Merit.
Addressing the gathering, the Programs Manager of Centre for Academic Excellence and Research, Alex A. Bah, said that with a number of entries received, a thorough screening was done by a quorum of erudite and reputable judges and they were able to present winners for both the essay and poetry category.
He said that the competition was organized in order for pupils and students to exercise their calligraphic abilities in inking sound write-ups that could be used by state and non-state actors in addressing the challenges that the coronavirus poses and the post impact of the coronavirus in the country.
He maintained that major students and pupils have developed lazy attitudes to imbibe and actualize those practices and that is adversely affecting educational standards and they must bring them back and these essay and poetry competitions is are action endorse that.
He called on stakeholders to prioritize educational related matters which he said will create room for development in the country.
He noted that it was a rigorous process for the judges to arrive at selecting the winners, but commended them for being up to the task underscoring how he believes that the integrity of the judges demonstrates the credibility of the competition.
James Ade Williams from Fourah Bay College who emerged with the best Essay in the University category, expressed appreciation to the Centre for Academic Excellence and Research, (CAER-SL) for organizing the essay and poetry competition which he said was a move in the right direction.
He urged colleague students to engage in Essay and Poetry writing which he said will serve as an opportunity to explore the potentials they have.
