The Ministry of Information and Civic Education in Sierra Leone recently held district-level quiz and debate competitions in Koinadugu District. The events, which took place on November 2, 2026, at the Koinadugu District Council Hall in Kabala, saw students from various schools compete in civic knowledge, debating abilities, and understanding of national issues. The competitions form part of the Ministry's nationwide Civic Day Series aimed at promoting civic education and engaging citizens with national affairs.
In the junior secondary school quiz, Mohamed A. Shaw of Kabala Junior Secondary School emerged as the winner with 33 points. Samuel Marah of Loma Junior Secondary School came in second with 29 points, while Sorie Kamara of Ahmadiyya Junior Secondary School took third place with 25 points. Other participating schools included Affia, Yagala, and Yogomaia junior secondary schools. The Ministry awarded Le2,000, Le1,500, and Le1,000 to the first-, second-, and third-place winners, respectively, with the winning school also receiving Le1,000.
The senior secondary school debate saw Hassan Turay of Ahmadiyya Senior Secondary School as the winner with 27 points. Finah Sesay of Kabala Senior Secondary School finished second with 22 points. Other participants included Alice Koroma of Loma Senior Secondary School, Wuridady Jalloh of Affia Senior Secondary School, and Salamatu Jalloh of Yogomaia Senior Secondary School. In the debate category, the winner received Le2,000, while the runner-up was awarded Le1,500, and the winning school got an additional Le1,000.
The winning students from Koinadugu District will represent their district at the Salone Civic Festival scheduled for December in Freetown. They will compete alongside successful participants from other districts. The Salone Civic Festival aims to promote civic education, strengthen public understanding of government policies, and create opportunities for citizens, particularly young people, to engage with national affairs.
The competitions in Koinadugu District are part of a larger nationwide effort by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to engage citizens with national issues. The Ministry's Civic Day Series includes various activities aimed at promoting civic education and encouraging public participation in governance. The Koinadugu program will continue on November 3, 2026, with a town hall meeting.
The town hall meeting, hosted by Information and Civic Education Minister Chernor Bah, will bring together residents, ministers, and representatives of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. The meeting is expected to provide residents with an opportunity to raise concerns and engage directly with government representatives. This event aims to foster a closer relationship between citizens and government officials.
The achievements of the Koinadugu quiz and debate champions demonstrate the district's talent and commitment to civic education. As the students prepare to represent their district at the Salone Civic Festival, they will have the opportunity to engage with peers from other districts and contribute to national discussions on important issues. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education's efforts to promote civic education and engagement are crucial in building an informed and active citizenry.
Key points
- The Ministry of Information and Civic Education awarded prizes to the winners of the quiz and debate competitions, with the winning students set to represent Koinadugu District at the Salone Civic Festival.
