St Theresa's School crowned champions of Perfect Series Schools Assessment Contest

St Theresa's School from North Kaneshie, Accra, has emerged victorious in the second edition of the Perfect Series Schools Assessment Contest, a prestigious competition designed to foster critical thinking and academic excellence.

The final, held at the GNAT Hall in Kumasi, brought together six top schools vying for the championship title.

St Theresa clinched the win with an impressive 304 out of 400 points. Unique Educational Complex from Konongo in the Ashanti Region secured a close second place with 301.5 points, while Reverence Preparatory and JHS from Offinso Old Town placed third. Salvation Army Basic ‘A’, OA Legacy International School, and Cefelix Academy followed in the rankings.

Organised by Perfect Star Media Production in collaboration with Perfect Grade Publications and Stationery, the contest seeks to evaluate students’ knowledge, enhance critical thinking skills, and promote academic excellence. It assesses learners’ understanding across various subjects while strengthening their problem-solving abilities.

Pastor Philip Sarpong, CEO of Perfect Star Media Production, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the participants.

Speaking to the media, he noted that the competition began with over 56 schools nationwide, culminating in the selection of six finalists. He stressed the importance of such contests in creating opportunities for basic school students and strengthening educational foundations.

Despite challenges such as sabotage and financial constraints, Pastor Sarpong said he remains motivated by the passion and eagerness of the learners.

“Even the passion, the passion that the learners are going to study, to read, is my happiness… the impact I’ve made in the life of these learners, that is my happiness. To me, I’ve achieved,” he stated.

He added that the core aim of the contest is to support learners from underprivileged backgrounds in accessing higher education and achieving their full potential.

“My life is about education. So I want the learners who are from low privilege… to gain higher education. I want to improve upon the learners, the performers, so they can do very well,” he explained.

Pastor Sarpong further revealed that some participants’ outstanding performances have opened doors for them internationally.

“Most of the learners who are part of this contest, their parents are taking them outside the country because of their excellent performance. Some who won best learner awards, their parents are taking them out after seeing what their children have achieved,” he disclosed.

Explaining the selection process, Pastor Sarpong noted that it begins with rigorous auditions in various schools, with assessments tailored to each grade level (Basic 3–Basic 6). Top performers from each class are then chosen to represent their schools in elimination rounds leading to the finals.

Although the contest currently focuses on primary schools, Pastor Sarpong envisions expanding it to include junior high schools, potentially with a STEM-focused segment to encourage innovative solutions to societal problems. Future plans also include the introduction of robotics.

Madam Judith Ekua Mansah, one of the lead teachers from the winning school, expressed gratitude and joy over their victory. She explained that they prepared the students meticulously and aspire to see them excel in future contests.

She also thanked the organisers, particularly Pastor Sarpong, for initiating such a program to boost academic excellence.

“This victory means a lot to us, and we will build upon it rather than become complacent,” she said.

The winning school, St Theresa’s, received a prize package that included GH¢20,000, a 50-inch television, a large refrigerator, a citation, books, medals, trophies, laptops, tablets, and other items.

Unique Educational Complex from Konongo, which placed second, received GH¢15,000, a 32-inch television, a citation, books, medals, trophies, laptops, tablets, and other prizes.

Reverence Education Complex, which came in third, received GH¢10,000, along with all the other prizes awarded to the second-place school.

Notably, all six participating schools received significant cash prizes in addition to numerous other items.