ISAMA Launches Nationwide "Big Brains Competition"
The contest will include 32 schools from each region of the country, with 16 dedicated to primary and 16 to secondary education.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi- The Independent Schools Association in Malawi (ISAMA) has introduced a new nationwide academic competition for primary and secondary students called the "ISAMA Big Brains Competition", writes Moses Thole.
The contest will include 32 schools from each region of the country, with 16 dedicated to primary and 16 to secondary education.
Nelson Chimtali, ISAMA's Secretary for Projects and Events, said the entry fee is K200,000 for primary schools and K250,000 for secondary schools.
"This competition is an annual event where schools compete at regional and national levels to determine the ultimate winner," Chimtali said.
"Each region will field 32 teams, with the victors progressing to the national stage."
Details about prize money are still being finalized.
But some ISAMA members, like Diversity Academy in Chikwawa District, have already embraced the timing of the competition.
"The competition will enrich the knowledge of learners," said Joseph Ntopa, CEO of Diversity Academy.
He highlighted the school's regular participation in events like the spelling bee, where Diversity students have excelled nationally and internationally.
In 2021, Diversity students Nakubonga Ntopa and Darren Munyenyembe represented Malawi at spelling bees in Dubai, Tanzania and Nigeria. Diversity was the top school nationally, along with finalists like Kalibu Academy.