KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 14,219 students registered for the RHB-New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right (SIR) preliminary online challenge in the primary and secondary school categories this year.
New Straits Times Press(NSTP) (M) Bhd’s Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid said the competition received the highest number of entrants from Kedah (987), Selangor (969)and Pahang (939).
"None of this would have been possible without the support of teachers and parents," he told the crowd at the finals of the RHB-New Straits Times National Spell-It-Right (SIR) Challenge, here today.
Jalil also expressed his pride and appreciation for the finalists in both the primary and secondary school category who made it to the national competition adding that the journey took intelligence, concentration, preparation and homework.
The new digital format also made the challenge easier and fun.
"We introduced a new format where the first two challenges; the preliminary and state challenges were conducted 100 per cent online.
"We also developed a mobile app called SIR Challenge for the competition beginning this year and this is an easier more fun way to take the challenge anytime anywhere using the mobile application," said Jalil.
Previously these virtual stages of the competition were carried out physically.
He said organisers were also proud to make it the most awaited spelling competition in the country.
"NST is a pioneering English newspaper. It is our aim to contribute go empowering the use of English and raising the proficiency level among Malaysians.
"We are also promoting the use of NST as an additional learning tool. Sir is also the most rewarding spelling competition as it offers attractive prizes," added Jalil.
He said the competition which attracts 15,000 students a year was introduced in 2008 and this year marks its 10th year of partnership with the RHB banking group.
RHB Banking Group Managing Director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli expressed his appreciation to NSTP group.
"This ten years have been fulfilling. And we are confident that we have evolved and have continued to make a difference in the lives of more young people. SIR will keep building talents and nurture a competent future generation," he added
He had earlier said that the mobile app has injected fresh excitement into the competition as it has eliminated geographic boundaries and restriction.
"It is also consistent with the RHB Banking Group's objective to encourage e learning. However the participants will still have to come on stage and utter it out," added Khairussaleh.
Representing Deputy Education Minister II Datuk Chong Sin Woon at the prize giving was the ministry’s co-curricular and arts division director Rozainum Ahmad.
Present were NSTP chief commercial officer Alfian Abu Talib, NST Group Editor Yushaimi Maulud Yahaya, and RHB Foundation chief executive officer and group chief communications officer RHB Banking Group Norazzah Sulaiman.