Longman School’s Aida Jarju Crowned 2025 National Spelling Bee Champion

Group Photo of Finalists © Facebook

By Fatoumata Jaiteh

The 2025 National Spelling Bee Competition, organised by the Take M Transformative Organisation, concluded on Saturday, 17th May, with 13-year-old Aida Jarju of Longman Memorial Methodist School emerging as the national champion. The highly anticipated event, held at the Babucarr O. Joof Conference Centre in Brikama, brought together 41 of the country’s brightest young spellers—15 boys and 26 girls—all competing for the prestigious title.

Aida, visibly emotional after her victory, attributed her success to dedication and the unwavering support of her mother.
“I’m really happy. It was tough, but my mom always advised me and helped me study. She never gave up on me,” Aida told Askanwi in a post-event interview.

Her mother, overcome with tears of joy, shared her heartfelt journey:
“I raised my kids as a single mother, and I always tell them to work hard in school if they want to be respected in society. Education is the only way. If I hadn’t been educated, I wouldn’t have been able to take care of them. That’s why I give my all to make sure they value learning.”

Launched in 2015, the National Spelling Bee is the flagship program of Take M Transformative Organisation, designed to promote literacy and academic excellence among lower basic school students aged 8 to 15. The competition begins with rigorous regional contests, with only the top performers advancing to the national finals. This structured approach ensures that the most prepared and talented students reach the final stage.

This year’s competition lived up to its reputation. Students from both rural and urban backgrounds competed fiercely through several elimination rounds before arriving in Brikama for the grand finale. The event was a true celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the transformative power of education.

In his opening remarks, Mr Malang Kuyateh, Principal Education Officer at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), emphasised the importance of such initiatives in nurturing academic growth.
“Being a teacher is second only to being a parent,” Kuyateh said, as he expressed gratitude to educators for their mentorship and to parents for encouraging their children to participate.

Also in attendance was Bakary Manneh, founder of Kaira Consultancy and a former teacher at Marena International. Impressed by the quality of the event, Manneh praised Take M’s efforts.
“I don’t attend most events because of my busy schedule, but I made an exception for this one. What I’ve seen here today is truly geared toward national progress,” he remarked.

A representative from GNPC, who also served as the event’s pronouncer, echoed these sentiments.
“None of these children is a loser. Reaching this stage is already a major accomplishment. GNPC supports this initiative because we believe in its impact on nation-building.”

Founded in 2015, Take M Transformative Organisation is committed to empowering young people through education and innovation. Through programmes like the Spelling Bee, the organisation aims to instil confidence, boost literacy, and develop leadership skills in children during their formative years.

As the curtains fall on this year’s event, hope remains high that initiatives like these will continue to inspire Gambian youth to strive for excellence—reminding them that the power of words can open doors to a brighter future.

Aida Jarju’s triumph stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when students are nurtured in an environment that truly values education.