By: Mohamed Sahr
Ibrahim Brima Swarray Foundation stormed Makeni City with its maiden inter-secondary school quiz and debate competitions with a whooping sum of ten million Leones Old Notes coupled with learning materials and certificates on Saturday 26th November 2022 at the Ernest Bai Koroma Hall, Makeni.
When making the keynote address, Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray, the founder and president of the foundation who also doubled as the Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority felt impressed about the turnout of school-going pupils in Makeni, especially those who partake in the competitions; adding that through this kind of event, the younger generation in this part of the country would see the need to be involved in major decision makings.
The NPPA Boss frowned at those politicians who are badly brainwashing the children and the youthful population in Makeni that they would not get a job even if they are educated as long as they are rooted in Makeni and are not members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party.
He disclosed that the foundation never made a mistake in organizing quiz and debate competitions in Makeni and it is not a mistake for President Bio to introduce Free Quality Education as a mantra. Swarray said if Sierra Leoneans want to see a better future for the country, quality education is the only solution going forward. ‘’President Bio wants to see every child being educated,’’ Chief Ibrahim Brima Swarray stated.
NPPA Boss revealed that having listened to the various debaters discussing the requirements with regards to the political interference in the awards of jobs, the fact and true way to dissolve that ill mentality among the pupils and stakeholders in Makeni is Free Quality Education. He furthered that the Free Quality Education is given to every kid in this country to ensure that jobs are awarded based on an equal level playing field. ‘’Nobody will get a better job if he or she is not carefully educated. Therefore, the Free Quality Education by the President is to militate against inequality in this country,’’ Chief Swarray expressed.
He pleaded with the kids of Makeni that they should not listen to anybody who says something contrary to the awarding of a job even if they are educated because of their political, regional or tribal orientation. NPPA Czer strongly committed that Makeni will continue to enjoy the quiz and debate competitions year-in-year-out.
Chief Swarray encouraged the children particularly the girl child to take advantage of the opportunity President Bio has accorded to them through the enactment of the Gender Empowerment Bill. He said the Bill speaks that a 30% quota is reserved entirely for women; noting that it shows a clear justification that President Bio wants everybody in this country.
Joseph Ishmael Kargbo, Deputy Director of Education in Makeni District said teachers and other educational stakeholders should reintroduce the Literary and Debating Societies (L&DS) into the school curriculum as a way to improve the confidence and composure level of school pupils when it comes to the mastering of public speaking skills. He thanked President Bio for his continued commitment to ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone has access to quality and affordable education.
Alberta Kovoma won the Best Quizzer’s Award and her school Saint Joseph (Convent) Junior Secondary School Makein emerged as the winner of the Best Quiz Team. The Dwight International Senior Secondary School won the Best Debate Team and St. Joseph (Convent) Senior Secondary School secured the Second Best Debate Team.