Winning students show the V sign at the Chittagong divisional round of English in Schools, a joint endeavour of The Daily Star and Robi, in the port city yesterday. Also present are, from left, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, managing editor at The Daily Star, Prof Anwarul Azim Arif, vice chancellor of Chittagong University, and Sohel Ahmed, manager at Robi, Chittagong region. Photo: Star

Silver Bells Girls' High School won the Chittagong divisional round of English in Schools, a joint endeavour of The Daily Star and Robi, held at Khawja Ajmeri KG and High School in the port city yesterday.

Khastagir Government Girls' High School was the runner-up, while Chittagong Government High School took the third position.

A total of 500 students (from class VI to X) of 25 high schools of Chittagong metropolitan area took part in the English competition featuring tests on general grammar, sentence structure, word composition, comprehension and listening.

The three winning schools received trophies, certificates and books worth Tk 10,000 each at an award-giving ceremony. The winning students also received medals.   

This was the fourth divisional round to be held after Rajshahi, Khulna and Sylhet.  

Prof Anwarul Azim Arif, vice chancellor of Chittagong University, addressed the programme as the chief guest, while Aziz Uddin, deputy director of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, Chittagong Division was the special guest.      

Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, managing editor at The Daily Star, and Sohel Ahmed, manager at Robi, Chittagong region, also spoke.

Prof Anwarul said that to face challenges thrown by the competitive world, students need English skills as it is the common means of communication with the rest of the world. 

Earlier, a cultural programme featuring group and solo renditions, and dance performances by students of the host school was held.