By Alfred Koroma
The Methodist Boys High School in Kissy, the East of Freetown, has on Friday 23 February won the inter-secondary schools debate organized by the Eugenia M.B Rogers Foundation.
“Should government prioritize economic development over environmental conservation?” was the topic debated at the final stage by Methodist Boys High School (MBHS) and Annie Walsh Memorial School. Both had beaten other schools to qualify for the grand finale.
In a statement delivered through a pre-recorded video, the founder of M.B Rogers Foundation, Eugenia M. A. E Rogers said organizing such competitions for young people is the reason her foundation exists, to cultivate the leadership potential in the youth of Sierra Leone through education.
Rogers added that her foundation offers opportunities such as empowerment workshops on financial literacy, helping people find their purpose in life and also organizes other events including public speaking and spelling B competitions.
She said she organized the debating competition between the pupils to improve their learning and public speaking skills.
The debate which was hosted at the Annie Walsh Memorial School Chapel brought together various secondary schools within Freetown. Each of the schools sent three representatives or pupils for the competition.
“It feels good that we won,” One of the debaters from MBHS, the winning team, Osman Fornah told Concord Times, “We delivered well and we are happy. That was as a result of research and practice.”
Even though they were unable to clinch the first position they battled for, Umu Hawa Jolloh, from the Annie Walsh said participating in such a competition was still beneficial as it enhances her public speaking skills.
The event was also emblazoned with series of statements delivered by invited guest, targeted at inspiring the pupils to continue to with their education.
Emma Hamilton, one of the speakers advised the pupils to be good ambassadors of themselves and to take their academic activities seriously while Rukoh Bai Kamara encouraged them to always try to improve on what they have in them as talent.
The keynote speaker, Melissa Kabba spoke on sexual harassment, abuse and STI and how the pupils can avoid them, pointing at Valentine’s Day commemoration as one of the key source of sexual harassment and abuse for young people.
