FROM = EVEREST EZIHE, Owerri
Worried by the decadence in the nation’s educational system, Dr. Mrs. Pearl Onukwugha, has advised the Imo State Government to, as a matter of exigency re-introduce schools debate as a strategic step to uplift the state’s educational standard.
Onukwugha, who is the President of Pearville School, Avu in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state, made this clarion call at the school auditorium last Saturday, during its maiden grand finale of Senior Secondary schools debate among private schools in the state being soley sponsored by her school, with theme: Encouraging Young Minds Towards Quest for Knowledge.
Recall that the preliminary stage of the Senior Secondary Schools debate in the State began last March with about 200 debaters from over 70 registered participating schools auditioned.
According to the Education Administrator, she said “Am passionately advising the state government through the Ministry to re-introduce debate in the state’s educational system, because the advantages outweighs the disadvantages.
“It offers the students ample opportunity to interact,compete and network,which independently brings out the best in them”
She expressed
The education czar maintained that school’s debate encourages public speaking, life long learning, networking and research, while appealing to philanthropic individuals, corporate bodies and the state government, for their support and encouragement towards the sustenance of the yearly programme which costs a lot in terms of money, human and material resources.
She also expressed satisfaction with the level of participation and knowledge driven garnered, noting that all the topics debated upon to be germane, critical, relevant and time bound as they relate to contemporary issues which concerns Nigeria as a nation and the global communities.
Earlier, Mrs. Vivian Onwuama, a Director of Education with Imo State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), Owerri commended the school for their immense contributions for an improved educational standard in the State.
Owuama recalled that last year, the state came second in the National Schools Debate and regretted that the state non participation in this year event and, assured to subsequent choice the state representatives from the products of Pearlville Private Senior Secondary Schools Debate programme.
She assured of delivery the messages of the program to the state Commissioner of Education for inputs while advising teachers in the state on the need for making debate a quarterly affairs in their schools curriculum.
Adding his voice, Arch. Dr. Victor Onukwugha, the chairman of the school that bagged the 2019 National Award as the Best Private School in Nigeria while commending the school management for their initiatives said that the essence of the programme is to enhance improvement in educational standards.
Onukwugha who is the immediate past Rotary International, District 9125 Governor also applauded the participants for performing creditably well and reiterated the need for the state government to revive schools debating societies as a timely measure of improving the State’s educational development initiatives.
Adding his voice, Sir Romeo Ukaegbu, an educational consultant and a retired principal further lauded the staff and management of the school for their pivotal roles in educational upliftment in the state and Nigeria at large.
The highlight of the occasion was the announcement of the suspense soaked results by Dr. Mrs. Pearl Onukwugha in which Master Golden Ogechukwu, of St. Silas Secondary School, Isiala Mbano came first with 284 points and was given 100,000 =cash and one brand new iPad, the second position was Miss Chelsea Nzeakor of Federal Girl’s College, Owerri she scored 238 points received 50,000= Cash and a brand new ipad while the third position was bagged by Miss Uel Nsofor of Deeper Life High School, Avu with 231 points and she went home with 25,000= cash only.
Fourth consolation prize of school bag and ceramic cup was given to Miss Jennifer Ohiri of Rosary International College, Owerri just as consolation prizes were also given to all the participating schools present.
From Right to left Dr. Mrs Pearl Onukwugha, the President of Pearlville School, Avu presenting Cash envelope and certificate to Arch. Dr. Victor Onukwugha for Master Golden Ogechukwu, the overall winner of the School’s debate while Sir Romeo Ukaegbu and Mrs. Vivian Onwuama of Imo SUBEB admires, Pix by Everest Ezihe.