Kibuli SS, Teso College, Sacred Heart SS qualify for National Schools Championship finals

Kibuli SS team (left) battles St Mary's College Kisubi in the central region finals at Mengo SS. Photos by Billy Rwothungeyo

The journey to the finale is heating up. Kibuli SS, Teso College-Aloet and Sacred Heart SS-Gulu have qualified for the grand finale of the 2017 Stanbic Bank National Schools Championship. The three schools that won the regional battles will represent central, eastern and northern regions in the finals.

A fourth school from western Uganda will join the three schools in the finals after the western regional finals today. The championship started with 40 schools across the country, with- class competitions and then essay battles before the regional quizzes. Schools were ejected at each of the rounds.

Kibuli SS student Gavin Ngabonziza (left) Sonia Karamagi (middle) Stanbic Bank Head of Marketing and Japhram Mukiibi Shafik also from Kibuli SS

Sonia Karamagi Kasagga, the marketing manager of Stanbic Bank Uganda is impressed with the results of the competition so far.

"We have seen a lot of enthusiasm, tension, which is what a championship is all about. After the third phase, we go for the finale in April where we shall get all the regional winners," she told the New Vision after the central region finals.

Kibuli SS emerged winners of the central region quiz after beating St. Mary's College Kisubi in highly contested finals on Wednesday at Mengo SS. The students are tested in a team quiz format on financial literacy, life skills, logical thinking and general knowledge.

Last year's overall winners, King's College Buddo did not make it out of the preliminary stages.

Garvin Ngabon Ziza was a member of the two-star Kibuli SS team shared the secret behind their success so far.

"We came with open minds, and thank God, the approach worked. From this championship, I have learned important things such as communication skills; I have also learned the importance of doing basic research on day to day things in our lives."

Yassin Haroun, a teacher of English language and Literature at Kibuli SS and the patron of the school team was not surprised by the results posted by his students.

"I was not surprised. My students have always been the best even in classroom quiz. I commend my student for working hard, even in a short time. They did the essay especially well,"

In the next phase of the championship, the four schools will work on a bank simulation project, who will be guided by Stanbic Bank Uganda staff as mentors.