By Bose Adelaja

Team Masters Limited has attributed the falling standard of education in Nigeria to lack of reading culture, unqualified teachers, quest for money and lack of dedication to duty.

Speaking in Lagos at the flag-off of the 5th edition of the annual Spelling Bee competition in commemoration of the International Spelling Day, Project Director, Rotimi Eyitayo, said the problem emanated from the foundation as many present-day graduates could not defend their certificates since money could buy that for them, for many greedy teachers opt for money rather than dignity in their labour.

In view of the above, the organisers resorted to the introduction of the Spelling Bee project because according to them, it will help students’ academic growth as English Langauage is the universal language in which all subjects are taught.

The project, he said, is targeted at students between the ages of six and 17 and will also feature about 10 states in Nigeria with the hope of reaching out to Ghana, United Kingdom and Benin Republic. ‘’The project has been helpful in diverse ways, especially improving students’ vocabulary, confidence and academic performance,’’  he said.

Eyitayo said the programme will be in four stages ranging from school in-house training,, districts finals, state finals and national finals after which there will be award evening with presentation of prizes and certificates to all winners, schools and sponsors of the competition.

Also, the national winner will be a 1-Day Consular-General while the judges of the programme have been  picked from across the country.

In her own contribution, Public Diplomacy Officer, United States Consulate-General, Nigeria, Rhonda Watson said the competition will improve students’ vocabularies and encourage them to invest in their education.

‘’Spelling Bee can be a very good thing because it will enhance a solid foundation for your future especially in reading and writing. This is an entrance into the fundamentals of education, take this as a challenge to build yourself,’’  she said.