Government Civic Day Series Feature Seven Schools in Quiz and Debate Competition in Kenema

The Civic Day Series in Kenema commenced on June 16th, 2025, with an engaging Inter-School Quiz and Debate competition, featuring seven secondary schools from the district.

The event aimed to evaluate students’ knowledge of civic education and involved participation from Holy Rosary Secondary School, Sierra International Academy, Abson Progressive Academy, Ansarul Islamic Secondary School, Islamic Secondary School, Government Secondary School, and Community Initiative Academy.

The competition was structured into two main segments: a quiz and a debate. The quiz assessed students’ understanding of local history and culture in Kenema, as well as broader national issues related to governance and civic life. It consisted of three rounds of challenging questions.

At the conclusion of the quiz segment, Ansarul Islamic Secondary School emerged victorious, scoring 19 points, with Abubakar S. Kamara representing the school. Government Secondary School followed closely as the 1st runner-up with 16 points, represented by James Emmanuel Bundeh. Sierra International Academy and Holy Rosary Secondary School also secured spots among the top four schools.

These four schools advanced to the debate segment, which included three rounds focused on pressing national issues such as the importance of the national census, constitutional review, corruption, and taxation.

After two intense rounds, Government Secondary School and Sierra International Academy progressed to the final round, where they debated the motion: “Corruption in School Administration is a Major Barrier to Quality Education in Sierra Leone.”

Momoh Keifala of Sierra International Academy was recognized as the Best Debater, achieving a score of 71 points. Mboyawa John Delleh from Government Secondary School closely followed in second place with 70 points, highlighting the competitive spirit of the final.

This Inter-School Quiz and Debate aligns with the objectives of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Programme, which aims to enhance human capital development in Sierra Leone and promote civic education among the youth.

Winners and runners-up were awarded cash prizes along with customized school items, including scientific calculators, school bags, and exercise books. The event not only celebrated academic excellence but also emphasized the importance of civic awareness and national consciousness among students in Kenema.