Master Bright Atakpa, a form two pupil of St. Peter R/C Basic School, has won the Prodigy Examination season three.
Master Atakpa won with 91.5 points and was awarded a trophy and GH¢1,000, while Miss Annabella Addo from Manhean Methodist School placed second with 87.5 points, and Miss Graham Ewuru Esi from St. Peter R/C Basic School emerged third with 82 points.
The participants answered questions on the Ghana Education Service’s new standard curriculum, major subjects being mathematics, english language, science, critical thinking and practical reasoning.
Mr Richard Kwabena Nsarkoh, Founder and Executive Director of the Chalk Talk Foundation Africa, said the Prodigy Examination was a scheme organised by the foundation to help in the promotion of education in the Tema East Constituency and prepare candidates for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Mr Nsarkoh noted that 13 schools within the Tema East Constituency participated in the examination, with a total of 53 students going through the first two stages, out of which the 10 top finalists participated in the finals.
He added that the examination was aimed at reaching out to children who have the potential to be innovators, good communicators and critical thinkers.
He wished the pupils well in their upcoming external examination and called on philanthropists, individuals and educators to support this initiative to enable them to extend the contest within the Tema Metropolis and beyond.
Mrs Lola Asiseh Ashitey, General Manager for Sewage System Ghana Limited and sponsor of the Prodigy Examination, stated that the programme helps to prepare the BECE candidates, adding that the participants have shown more interest in learning and contesting.
She added that for the past three years, winners have been awarded incentives to support their education, indicating that the next edition would introduce a session for the audience, who are also pupils, to answer some questions to receive some rewards to serve as an incentive to encourage every child to prepare for the examination.
She said, “The foundation’s aim is to get a lot of educated people not only for examination but also for creating a generation to understand that change starts with them.”
Mr Micheal Mensah Annang, Headteacher of Manhean Methodist Basic School, emphasised that the examination was a good form of mental exercise for the learners and it has been beneficial for their performances both in the past and present.
Madam Bernice Sefakor Doviah, School Improvement Support Officer (SISO) for Ashamang Circuit – Tema New Town, for the Tema Metro Education Directorate, stated that the Prodigy Examination was a good initiative that has helped pupils challenge themselves through critical thinking.
She called for the expansion of the programme to various constituencies to benefit and prepare other pupils for the BECE.
The participating schools received a certificate of participation, while the 10 finalists also received stationery.