See the World Differently

The Spelling Bee is an annual spelling competition for primary school children with the aim of improving literacy, unlocking the children’s imagination and developing key life skills. It is conducted in both local languages for P.3 pupils and English and Sign Language for P.4-P.7 pupils. It helps ignite the children’s curiosity to read and inspire them to stay in school longer as well as transform them into change agents and credible leaders.

We believe that words change the world, and the Spelling Bee helps children learn new words, their meanings and how to use them in sentences. This enables them to understand concepts better, pass exams and stay in school longer.

The African Spelling Bee is here. 10 Spelling Bee organisations from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe have come together to create the very first African Spelling Bee.

Together we have reached and impacted over 5 million learners through national spelling competitions, teacher trainings and reading interventions among other literacy interventions.

This very first African Spelling Bee is happening in July 13-17, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The top three Spellers from each country will compete against each other.

18,700,000 (52%) of Uganda's 36 million people are children below the age of 15 - the future belongs to them. Unfortunately, 71% of them are not finishing primary school in time. This is caused by, among other reasons, low competence, low literacy rates and lack of interest. In fact, Uganda is ranked lowest in the region in literacy according to a Uwezo 2012 report.

We believe that successful people are confident, and have the right atittude. The Spelling Bee was created to enable children improve their literacy, and develop key life skills. We believe this will not only motivate them to complete school but also transform them into change agents and credible leaders.