Lira CEO, Lango headteachers advised to embrace debates and patriotism in schools

Lira | Bonny Otucu, Assistant Resident City Commissioner (ARCC) of Lira, has urged the City Education Officer (CEO) of Lira and headteachers across the Lango sub-region to promote debates and patriotism in secondary schools. 

This call follows debates organised by the Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) for secondary schools in the sub-region.

The debates were held on Saturday, June 22 from the morning until midday at St. Katherine Secondary School in Lira City.

ARCC Otucu was the chief guest at the event. In his remarks, the commissioner praised the Association’s Lango coordinator and UNSA for organising the debate.

He recommended that debating clubs be implemented in all schools because they promote critical thinking and argumentation.

According to Otucu, debates help students develop research skills, facilitate teamwork and collaboration, and boost confidence and communication.

He stated that nearly 90% of today’s eloquent and vibrant leaders in Parliament, as well as other motivational speakers, participated in debates while still in school.

“I therefore implore the City Education Officer and all headteachers in Lango to ensure that debating and patriotism clubs are established in their schools.”

He said that they will soon begin visiting various schools to speak with students about the value of patriotism and debating.

He also advised the organisers to include media houses in the next year’s competitions so that the debates can be broadcast live on YouTube and other platforms for students, parents, and the general public to watch.

The ARCC urged headteachers to make the necessary payments to UNSA so that their schools could participate in the competition.

Otucu, on the other hand, was dissatisfied with the number of schools that participated in the competitions, claiming that it was less than half of the secondary schools in Lira City.

Only 20 schools took part in the recently concluded debates, despite Lira City having over 44 secondary schools.

Comboni College was the best debating school. They faced off against Dara Christian High School. The winner and first runner-up received trophies and medals.

There were also competitions for public speaking and poetry. Wisdom High School in Kole, Mentor SS in Lira, St. Katherine, Dr. Obote College, and Lango College, all in Lira City, produced some of the best public speakers and poets.

Otucu presided over the awarding of trophies and medals to the best schools.