Longman Methodist LBS won Take-M Transformation 2025 national spelling competition

By Sulayman Waan

On Saturday 17th May 2025, Longman Methodist Lower Basic School in Brikama won the Take-M Transformation Organisation 2025 national spelling bee competition.

Ida Jarju who represented the school cleared the 22 students who participated in this year’s national spelling bee competition. She was awarded D10,000 and a gold cup.

About 22 schools across the West Coast Region (WCR), Banjul, Kanifing Municipality and Lower River Region (LRR) participated in the final stage of the national spelling bee competition.

Take-M is a literacy programme that focuses on helping children in the Lower Basic Schools to achieve competency in  reading and spelling skills.

In his remarks, Tunde MN Ogundimu, executive director for Take-M Transformation Organisation said the spelling  competition aimed to improve children’s spelling and reading ability at tender age.

“English is a business language. Many students are failing examination because they lacked understand of the language,” he said.

However, he said the spelling bee would help the children to master the language and answer examination questions easily.

He highlighted that the organization wanted to mobilize schools from the seven regions of The Gambia but it could not gather all schools due to financial constraints.

Meanwhile, he called on philanthropists, private sector and development partners to support Take-M Transformation to organize more educational programmes for students.

He acknowledged the support from Africell, Unique Solution, Gambia National Petroleum Company, Kaira Consultancy, individuals donors, among others. He said their support has been recognized and appreciated.

Mr Tunde urged parents and teachers to continue supporting their children so that they gain the resiquite knowledge and skills to excell.

Malang  Kuyateh, member of Take-M Transformation stated that all participants were winners in one way or the other.

He advised participants to take their time and answer questions wisely.

He thanked parents for attending the competition, saying their attendance is a clear manifestation of their concerns for their children’s education.

Bakary Manneh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kaira Consultancy cum chairman of Take-M Transformation commended the management of Take-M Transformation for organizing what he called important events.

He urged the students to pursue education and contribute to the development of society.

SW/COB/20/05/25