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The 2013 Know Your Stuff Quiz is a joint collaboration between the sponsor GT&T, Guyenterprise, and the Ministry of Education.
GT&T’s Public Relations Officer Allison Parker, speaking briefly at the event, welcomed the media, emphasising that her company was more than elated to be a part of the project, which it had also sponsored in 2012. She added that the success of the previous leg of the quiz was also motivation for the company to invest in the venture a second time.
Former lecturer in Literature at the University of Guyana, and Quiz Mistress, Dr. Joyce Jonas, noted that the initiative was specially formulated to improve literature in schools, and also to encourage ‘fun learning’ for students in the subject area.
She expressed pleasure that GT&T is again on board, and informed that some 16 schools countrywide would compete at next year’s event. She explained that the cheque serves as a ‘financial cauldron’, to offset expenses incurred in production of the quiz, recordings, travel expense for participating schools, and all other areas on the agenda that come with the success of such a prestigious project.
She also explained that this initiative is more like a ‘learning seminar’, and schools are supplied with background information which would help with their research and success. Dr. Jonas noted that schools that competed last year were all eager to participate in 2013, and she expressed hope that all schools would take pride in learning as they participate in this year’s quiz.
Dr. Jonas noted that the quiz has built the self-esteem of its participants, and is doing wonders for their natural competitiveness. She said it was also discovered that, after their involvement in the quiz, students began to pay more attention to their text books, became more familiar with their work, and excelled at their examination.
In closing Dr. Jonas thanked both Guyenterprise and GT&T for their involvement, and indicated that the ultimate goal of the event is to promote love for Literature amongst students.
President’s College, located at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, were the lucky winners of last year’s ‘Know Your Stuff Literature Quizz’, while Mae’s Secondary School in Georgetown were the runners-up.
The quiz will also feature an ‘on air call in programme’, during which students can call in, give answers to questions, and win fabulous prizes, compliments of GT&T. The recordings for ‘2013 Know Your Stuff Literature Quiz’ will begin in January of next year.
Commenting on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Senior Education Officer Rajwantie Permual noted that the ministry sees the quiz as a method of improving the education system. She said last year’s initiative was not only a success, but also encouraged the ministry to be a part of this year’s proceedings.
She said the quiz encourages students to read more, and opens their understanding of Literature, even as it leads them to read more with a ‘critical eye’ and become more analytical in the subject area.
This year, Abram Zuil and West Demerara Secondary schools will battle, while Berbice High School will take on Mae’s Secondary. It will be a ‘ding dong battle’ between St. Joseph and the Bishop’s High Schools; while reigning champions, President’s College, will defend their crown against Richard Ishmael Secondary School.
St. Stanislaus College will battle with St. Rose’s High School, and Queen’s College will take on Central High School. The Mahaicony Secondary will be left to contend with the Marian Academy from Georgetown.
