Having successfully held a debate competition for schools in the North Bank region, where Kerewan Senior Secondary School emerged victorious, University of The Gambia Debate Association (UTGDA) has ended its nationwide debate rounds and advocacy tour.
The 15-days country-wide exercise led the UTGDA to the five regions across the country, where over 300 basic and secondary education students were equipped with relevant skills on debate, in particular the British Parliamentary System of Debating, and public speaking.
The delegation equally exposed students to relevant and timely information on fundamental concepts, such as sexual and reproductive health, drug/substance abuse and their implications on students, the significance of education, positive masculinity, youth empowerment and sustainable development.
Equally, the various schools across the regions were accorded the opportunity to contest in the regional debate rounds for a spot in the Vice Chancellor’s National Championship (VCNC) round of 16.
Meanwhile, the UTGDA executive has expressed thanks to the leadership of the delegation, the adjudicators of the regional contests, and the trainers and facilitators and the camera person.
While also expressing gratitude to the organising committee, the association has also renewed its commitment to promoting the culture of healthy debates within The Gambia.
Meanwhile, the round of 16 of the VCNC awaits fine outcome, following the success of the regional rounds.
The UTG Debate Association fosters dialogue through research, debate, public speaking and advocacy.
While it is a university sub-association, the coverage of its activities has gone beyond UTG’s lecture halls and auditoriums, taking into consideration schools in the lower tier of the educational ecosystem.
It also collaborates with other tertiary institutions for inter-tertiary institutional engagements.
