Features

School's Challenge gone abroad

THERE WILL BE additional viewers for this season's TVJ School's Challenge Quiz Competition. But, these viewers will not only be on the island but in the Tri-state area of the United States as the programme will be shown on cable in that region.

The disclosure that the competition would be shown in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey was made at the launch of the annual contest at TVJ studios, Lyndhurst Road, St. Andrew, yesterday.

Gary Allen, director of operations for the RJR Group of which TVJ is a part, said through an alliance with Caribbean International Network, the longest-running local production in the English-Speaking Caribbean will be broadcasted in the region beginning this season.

But, that was not the only disclosure that was made at the event. A new set for this year's contest was also unveiled. The set, sponsored by GSB Credit Union, was designed by Paul Hamilton and constructed by NW Furnishing.

The competition's format remains the same. It begins on Monday with York Castle High playing William Knibb High. It ends in May. There will be 69 matches. In addition, there are 69 schools with five of them being newcomers.

Beaten finalists

Among the schools neophytes who will also attempt to dethrone defending champions Calabar, are Anchovy High, Herbert Morrison Technical High, Montpelier College, St. Andrew Technical and Petersfield High.

Additionally, there are 16 seeded schools. But surprisingly, the defending champions are ranked at number two behind last year's beaten finalists Manchester High, who are the top seeded team. Glenmuir, Kingston College, Ardenne High School, Munroe, Hampton and Wolmer's Boys round out the top eight schools.

Apart from a trip to New York, which Calabar enjoyed last year, there are also prizes in the form of scholarships and computers. The University College of the Caribbean (UCC) will provide six scholarships while the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) will provide two scholarships. Caribbean Broilers will provide a computer each month to the recipient of the CB Chicken Ambassadors award. The CB Chicken Ambassadors will be chosen based on their involvement in extra-curricular activities.

On the lighter side of the contest, the Digicel Viewers Question will remain. Unlike last season, the Quiz Beat which shows the schools' preparation will be aired on Saturdays at 5:30pm instead of Sundays.