THE first National Spelling B Competition, for Grade Five students in public and private schools in the 10 Administrative Regions and District 11 (Georgetown), will conclude this week at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

The semi-final takes place today, starting at 18:00 h and the final on Thursday.

The contest is being hosted by the Rotary Club of Stabroek and the preliminary rounds were conducted from April 28 to May 15 in each of the regions, from which three students were chosen to represent their respective region.

The prizes will be awarded in this order:

First place, one desktop computer and printer, a trophy and a $50,000

‘Smart Choice’ account.

Second place, one desktop computer, a trophy and a $30,000 ‘Smart Choice’

account.

Third place, one desktop computer, a trophy and a $20,000 ‘Smart Choice’

Account.

Fourth place, a trophy and a $50,000 ‘Smart Choice’ account.

A release said a teacher from a competing school remarked that the competition is timely and provides an opportunity to assess the students’ spelling ability in Grade Five at the national level.

On Sunday, members of host club, semi-finalists and their parents and well-wishers, together with representatives of the sponsors, GT&T CellLink and Topco, were on the Georgetown seawall to promote the remaining rounds of the rivalry which has had invaluable support from the Ministry of Education.