Schools from around East London participated in the third annual inter-schools debating competition at the East London City Hall last Friday.
The competition saw 11 schools compete to be win the ultimate prize of being crowned the champions, as well as to win year-long MSC College bursaries.
Despite stiff competition, Centre of Excellence High School came in first place.
The question on the floor was: Is formal education a necessity in transforming the South African community?
Picture: AMANDA NANO
An excited Itumeleng Ncoko said before they started the debate, that she thought the other teams were better.
“I’m so overwhelmed by our win, I wasn’t expecting it. I’ve also won a bursary which I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise,” Ncoko said.
MSC College IT facilitator Vuyisa Tiso said everyone deserved an opportunity to study, regardless of where they came come from.
“The bursaries are inclusive of the whole course, including their tuition and electronic learning platform,” Tiso said.
Centre of Excellence English teacher Diana Nkomo was beside herself with excitement.
“I’m so happy because they have worked so hard. When you do that, you reap what you sow,” so they were bound to win,” Nkomo said.
Coming in at second and third place respectively were Alphendale High School and East London High.
Community Action Africa director Musa Sebugwawo said the this initiative started off as a part of their learner support programme, with East London High School as their only pilot school.
“Some schools don’t have debating societies and we invited schools with more established societies, so they mentor them,” Sebugwawo said.
He said they would like to extend the project to include schools in the rural community in future.
