NEPAD-SL Organises Quiz Competition to Promote Academic Excellence and Child Protection in Pujehun
Alhaji Mashalat Sheriff The Network Platform for Peace and Democracy Sierra Leone (NEPAD-SL), a community-based organisation operating in Pujehun District, has organised a quiz competition among primary school pupils to promote academic excellence and raise awareness of critical child protection issues, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), teenage pregnancy, early marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
The competition, held on Saturday, 17 October 2026 at Fonikoh House, Kaikai Street, brought together pupils from Roman Catholic Primary School Sorbeh Grima and SLC Primary School, Gobaru, in Kpanga and Kpanga Krim Chiefdoms, Pujehun District.
It provided an opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their knowledge, build confidence and strengthen their understanding of issues affecting children, particularly girls.
Welcoming participants and invited guests, NEPAD-SL District Coordinator, Anthonette Sillah, expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the competition, describing it as an important initiative aimed at encouraging pupils to remain focused on their academic work and pay greater attention to their studies.
She clarified that the competition was not intended to embarrass or intimidate participants but rather to encourage them to learn, develop confidence and demonstrate their abilities in a supportive environment.
Anthonette encouraged the contestants to take ownership of the questions presented to them and to answer confidently without becoming nervous. She urged them to view the exercise as an opportunity to improve their knowledge and academic performance while appreciating the importance of education in their future development.
In her remarks, NEPAD-SL National Coordinator, Josephine Yatta Kamara, explained that this year’s competition focused on several important topics relating to the protection, health and well-being of children and adolescents.
She said the questions covered sexual and gender-based violence, safe guidance for teenagers, teenage pregnancy, early marriage, menstrual hygiene, referral pathways and female genital mutilation.
According to Kamara, the selection of these topics was intended to equip pupils with essential knowledge about their rights, personal safety and the support services available to them when they encounter protection-related challenges.
She further disclosed that the organisation was holding the quiz competition for the second time, describing the initiative as an encouraging activity that had continued to create opportunities for learning and healthy competition among pupils.
Kamara added that NEPAD-SL had made provision for awards and consolation prizes to recognise the efforts of the contestants and motivate them to continue pursuing academic excellence.
The Protection Officer at the Ministry of Gender in Pujehun District, Catherine Turay, who facilitated the quiz exercise, reassured participants that the competition would be conducted in a transparent and impartial manner.
She encouraged the contestants to have confidence in the process, assuring them that the results would reflect their performance and that every participant would be treated fairly.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD-SL, Claude Sheriff, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting pupils and promoting educational development in Pujehun District.
Sheriff explained that the organisation’s activities in the district had slowed following an unfortunate incident involving one of its staff members, which he said had resulted in the suspension of funding by Amnesty International.
He noted, however, that efforts were being made to resolve the matter, expressing optimism that the organisation would gradually overcome the challenges and continue its work in communities.
At the end of the competition, Tiangay Sesay of SLC Primary School, Gobaru, emerged as the overall winner. Augustine Konneh of Roman Catholic Primary School, Sorbeh Grima, secured second position, while Foday Kamara came third.
Isata Sowundeh finished in fourth position, while Messie Konneh and Foday Mustapha shared fifth position. Richard Somasa secured sixth position.
The participants received educational materials and other prizes, including school bags, books, pens and mathematical sets, as incentives to encourage them to remain committed to their studies.
The competition formed part of NEPAD-SL’s community-level efforts to promote education, increase awareness of child protection issues and empower young people with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.