Several schools have converged at Koyonzo Boys High School in Kakamega County for a National Debate Contest which kicked off yesterday and will elapse on August 8, 2024.
The National Debate Contest is a product of the Amani Club in secondary schools and a brainchild of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission of Kenya (NCIC).
Charles Mombo, a teacher of English and Head of Department for Languages at St Peter’s High School Mumias while speaking to Education News at Koyonzo, revealed that schools with Amani Club have never experienced student unrest as students meet, talk and debate about issues currently affecting the country and those that affect them directly.
“Issues like why corporate punishment is being introduced in school, the effects of drugs, and police brutality are just but a section of the topics that boys or students debate about and these topical issues are handled and this has helped avert strikes in schools,” Mombo said.
According to him, St Peters High School Mumias is the home of debating in the region and nationally as they have won the national championship severally.
The school won the national championship last year which was held at Ribe Boys in Kilifi County where Gaylord Musita, a former student, won the best speaker award.
“We also won the Western Region championship and we are optimistic that our boys are also prepared well to win the national championship,” he said.
Many Schools are set for the contest and it remains to be seen how they are going to perform.
The best schools and students will be awarded certificates and trophies.
READ ALSO:
Mixed results as KSSSA National championship starts in Kisii
The Amani Club was formed in the aftermath of the post-election violence of 2007/08 intends to foster and promote peace using students through schools and it operates under the Ministry of Education(MoE) and Teachers Service Commission(TSC) as partners.
Amani Club engages in essay writing, public speaking and debates for peace in English, Kiswahili and French languages.
The programme has been running in schools across the country and it starts way below the sub-county level then county, regional and up to the national levels.
Best-performing schools are awarded certificates.
By Victor Ngecho
You can also followVictor Ngecho our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
