Africa-Press – Eswatini. LOMAHASHA Central and Siteki Nazarene High Schools proved to be dominant in the regional Macmillan Eswatini poetry and short stories competitions
The two schools had their pupils appearing in the top three of almost all the four categories of the competitions held at the Siteki Regional Education Office (REO) last week. Over 30 schools from the region took part in the competition sponsored to the tune of E150 000 by the publishing company.
Siteki Nazarene topped the junior category in poetry with two pupils occupying the top two positions, while Lomahasha Central went away with the first position in the senior category.
Lomahasha Central went on to take second position under the junior category in short story writing. The school was also placed second and third position under the senior category in short story writing, while Siteki Nazarene took the first position.
Lomahasha Central’s English teacher, Brendell Vilane said the pupils’ performance was a result of hard work on their side and a dedication of the teachers. Vilane said the school established an English club, which was meant to encourage the pupils from all grades to share knowledge and skills in writing and speaking English.
boost
He said, through this club, the pupils competed in internal competitions on public speaking, poetry and writing.
Vilane said this was one platform which they used to boost the pupils’ confidence and also to encourage them not to be deterred by the fact that they were coming from a rural school but focus on the ultimate goal.
“I always tell them that I am a living testimony, having been born and schooled at Lomahasha. These competitions also boost the pupils when it comes to external examinations,” she said.
Girly Ndzabandzaba, a teacher from Siteki Nazarene high school said she was very happy with the results and the performance of her learners.
“The learners have shown great passion towards this competition. We had less than a week to prepare but they still came out best,” she said.
She further hoped that they would put in the same effort even during the national levels. “I believe that they will make it even at the national level because they are passionate about poetry and writing. We will also continue preparing them because we have dedicated teachers in the department who have no issues with staying behind after lessons and equipping the students,” she said
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Dalingcebo Dlamini from Siteki Nazarene who came out best in the short story writing competition, said she was happy to have emerged the winner. He said he was also happy with the topic he chose to write about as he managed to express himself fully.
“I will definitely make it through even at the nationals. I pray that Macmillan gives us the topics to discuss sooner, so that I could have adequate time to prepare my story.
Mbali Sibandze, who also came out best in the junior secondary schools poem writing, said her her poem was inspired by the peaceful learning environment at her school.
“These are the wonders of what a beautiful learning environment can do. Our school has made it possible for me to focus and come out best in the competition and for that I am grateful,” she said. The first three positions form both junior and senior secondary will proceed to the national level competitions to be held at Esibayeni Lodge on September 15.
potential
Macmillan Eswatini Sales and Marketing Representative, Nomcebo Mngomezulu said the company decided to launch this competition after noticing the talent of learners in this sector. “We felt poetry and story writing competition was ideal because we understand that these children have a great potential of being good story tellers and writers,” she said
Mngomezulu also stated that this competition was not only meant to help the pupils improve their writing skills but to also help them acquire public speaking skills.
She said they were working hand in hand with the ministry of education and training in pushing the initiative.
“We are trying to achieve one of our objectives, which is to see a learner succeed using the best material, this being books published by Macmillan, when conducting their academic research.
“It is also used to dispel the notion by some pupils that writing is a skill that you only get at a higher level institution which is a wrong mind-set because such talent needs to be nurtured at an early stage,” she said.
Siteki Regional Educations Office (REO) representative, Joshua Maseko thanked Macmillan and the teachers for encouraging the pupils to join the competition.
“We would like to thank Macmillan as the official sponsor of this event and teachers for their recommendable commitment. There is power in written work. Write and as you do so, you will learn,” he said as he motivated the pupils.
Meanwhile, Lubombo English Language Regional Chairperson, Abilio Mondlane they appreciated thee competition as it helped the pupils see the value of education and English as a language.
Theresa Dlamini, who is the Lubombo Regional Examinations Inspector urged pupils to always make use of opportunities that would help better their lives.
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