By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
5th May 2025- The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) held its Civic Day Series at the Port Loko District Council Hall with an engaging quiz and debate competition designed to test students’ knowledge of civic education. The event aimed to foster patriotism and nationalism by focusing on national and local issues.
Six schools participated in the competition: Dr. Kadie A. Sesay Government Girls Secondary School, Catholic Junior Secondary School, Port Loko, Movement of Faith Junior Secondary School, Maforkie Agricultural Islamic Secondary School, Johanna Kuyvenhoven Model Secondary School, and Free Pentecostal Academy.
Participants answered questions on Sierra Leone’s identity, culture, and governance through a randomized ballot system. After three intense rounds, Catholic Junior Secondary School, Port Loko, emerged as the quiz champion with 18 points, while Johanna Kuyvenhoven Model Secondary School secured second place with 14 points.
The debate competition featured the same schools, with students arguing for and against topics such as social media usage, the fight against corruption, and the significance of the national census. Following an elimination round, the final debate centered on the motion: “Port Loko is a key driver for civic education.”
Patient B.S. Turay of Dr. Kadie A. Sesay Government Girls Secondary School won the debate, with Alfred S. Sesay from Johanna Kuyvenhoven Model Secondary School taking second place. Both quiz and debate winners received cash prizes and customized school materials.
The Civic Day Series continues tomorrow with a town hall meeting featuring eight ministers, heads of agencies, and department leaders from sectors including Anti-Corruption, Statistics, and Local Content. Discussions will cover critical national issues such as agriculture, security, education, health, aviation, and governance.
