Road Town, Tortola - Nine primary schools have qualified to go on to the finals in the 2010 Inter-Primary School General Knowledge Quiz contest scheduled for March 9.

The Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Althea Scattliffe and Francis Lettsome Primary Schools topped the preliminaries with a score of 12 points. The other finalists are Willard Wheatley, Jost Van Dyke, Isabella Morris, Cedar International, Alexandrina Maduro Primary Schools and Agape Total Life Academy.

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie told the students that it is good to be challenged. “We want to make sure that we challenge you not only in sports but also in the area of knowledge,” he told the students, adding, “Knowledge is power and how you apply the knowledge you have is what actually makes you powerful”.

“You are not only competing against the other students but against yourselves so that you can bring out the best in you,” he said.

Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcia Potter announced that the Department of Education was pleased to bring back the general knowledge quiz and that it will alternate with the National Spelling Bee Competition in the coming years. She also wished the students well in the competition. “I wish the participating students the very best in this competition and we look forward to a very challenging, entertaining, and exciting general knowledge quiz,” she said.

President of the Rotary Club of Road Town Mr. Melvin Stoutt said that they are proud to be associated with this year’s general knowledge quiz and he urged the students to be persistent. “Let us encourage our young people to continue trying even if they fail in their first attempt, encourage them to go on because sometimes in order for us to succeed we have to face failure,” he said.

The quiz’s preliminaries consisted of three rounds, with three students representing each school with one as a reserve. The students answered questions from three subject areas Social Studies, English and Mathematics.

The Ministry and Department of Education and the Rotary Club of Road Town are jointly sponsoring the General Knowledge Quiz. Additional sponsors include, Alphonso Warner Insurance Company, Skelton Group of Companies, D & B Trucking and Heavy Equipment Services and Rugged Rentals Limited.

The objectives of the General Knowledge Quiz are to encourage students to reach their fullest potential; to find out how well students are mastering the curriculum and to develop camaraderie and team spirit among students.

The mission of the Department of Education is to equip learners of all ages with the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to become productive citizens in a rapidly changing society.