By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Ummoja Standard.
Naggalama SS: Speaking during the launch of the 7th Edition of Crossfire Hi Skool, 2023, Damalie Patra- the Managing Director of QuizMalie Productions told Umoja Standard that this year’s objective is skilling the young child which starts from mind to the actual activities people do.
(L&R) Damalie Patra, Managing Director of QuizMalie Productions & Ms. Agnes Nsubuga, Head Teacher of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama, other guests are seen following events. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa
“When give them a motion like on agriculture, they research, learn get interested and work towards it because they have known about so they can choose it to be a career so we are skilling be live right and do things well in addition to having a creative”. Damalie Patra said.
Hi Skool Crossfire debate competitions is an initiative of Quizmalie Productions that are organized annually to test and sharpen secondary school students from participating schools in major topics in a bid to upbring a young responsible generation.
She stressed that unlike the other years where competitions have been organized between schools in Central Region, they are taking the completions across all regions in order to explore new talents as well as ensuring equity.
Damalie Patra- the Managing Director of QuizMalie Productions. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Here is how events will follow each other.
6th to 16th, March, 2023 is training.
18th to 20th, March, 2023 central debates.
23rd to 25th, March, 2023 lira edition (northern region).
27th, March, 2023 central region.
1st, April, 2023 central region.
8th to 10th, April, 2023 Eastern region.
In his opener, Rev Fr, Gerald Bwenvu, Education Secretary-Lugazi Diocese who was the Chief guest at the Launch said that such avenues are enormous opportunity to students believing that every debate is for the truth.
He stated that debate is a format for people to understand and drive public to the truth, ideas and concepts which are many times not taken for granted because it is truth seeking.
Rev Fr, Gerald Bwenvu, Education Secretary for Lugazi Catholic Diocese delivers his speech & signs on the launch board during launch of Hi Skool 7th Edition at St. Joseph’s SS Naggalama. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He added that in so doing, research is so important as it will help one identify a gap in opponent’s presentation.
He packaged them with 4C idea that is needed in the 21st century which were;
Communication that guides students to understand how to align their presentations.
Critical thinking that will help them assess information they have gathered.
Creativity that will allow them think outside the box, offer ideas and proposals not considered before.
Collaboration that will help them amalgamate knowledge, experience, feedback and skill utilization of each individual.
Civic participation and awareness will help participants know own rights and need to engage because they are part of national building.
It is against this background that he asked all Ugandans to Interest students into debate.
While addressing the congregation, Ms. Agnes Nsubuga– the Head Teacher of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama expressed the value of the such debates as one of the venues they identify potential of students prior to the field of work.
Ms. Agnes Nsubuga- the Head Teacher of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama delivers her maiden speech & signs on the board. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
She stated that, winning 2022 Hi Skool competitions was great pleasure and vowed to stage another unstoppable competition in the 7th edition, 2023.
She lauded Quizmalie Productions to hold launch of 7th edition from St. Joseph’s Naggalama and pledge continuous partnership and when need be,
“We shall always offer you space here; we are ready to work with you always. I thank Quizmalie for generating the idea of regionalizing debate as it will tap brains from all over the country”. Ms. Nsubuga.
Rev. Asafu Kawuma Mabirizi, Representing Education head -Namirembe Diocese stressed through debate, church schools will live to the realization of the core point of grooming responsible citizenry because this avenue instills morals and respect for responsible citizenship.
Rev. Asafu Kawuma Mabirizi from Education Department from Namirembe Diocese speaks during launch of Hi Skool 7th Edition at St. Joseph’s SS Naggalama. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“Whenever I think about debate, I think about politicians but the country is grooming immoral politicians and in so doing there is a need to have partnerships like this to avert this in order to groom desirable leaders”. Said Asafu.
Kato Obadia, senior geologist at Petroleum Authority of Uganda reiterated the fact that debate fosters development of critical thinking skills, enhances communication skills, builds confidence, builds teamwork and collaborations and increases knowledge and understanding.
In the same manner, Pius Ariho Mugumya , the Inspector of Drugs at National Drug Authority emphasized that such avenue creates and encourages rational thing.
He said, as NDA, they engage in such debate in order to raise awareness on health like drug abuse and they seek that young people debate it (drug abuses) such that they can know how dangerous it is and avoid it.
“Debating is not for politicians but for all us in order for us to have critical thinking”. Said Ariho.
Ronald Sseguya, the Head of sales and distribution at Daily Monitor said that it is very vital for students to interest themselves in carrying out research as will enable them unearth new knowledge.
He informed that NTV Uganda, Daily Monitor have educational spaces which students can tap into as the other way they can broaden their thinking.
Ronald Sseguya- Head of sales and distribution at Daily Monitor. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
PICTORIAL OF EVENTS AT THE LAUNCH. All Photos By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Winners of 2022, Hi Skool (St. Joseph’s Naggalama).
