Light Academy tops Uganda's schools at global debating competition

Dec 04, 2018

The World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) is a global competition for national high school debate teams. Teams from all over the world gather in a battle of minds, discussing 13 different topics set by an international panel of debate experts.

EDUCATION

Light Academy Secondary School topped the rest of the four schools with the highest number of medals, at the global debating competition.

Uganda sent five schools including Light Academy Secondary School, which scooped the highest number of medals-23 medals; (5 Gold, 17 Silver), followed by Agha Khan School with 19 medals (5 Gold, 14 Silver), then St. Mary's College Kisubi with eight medals (4 Gold, 4 Silver).

Rainbow International got seven medals (3 Gold, 4 Silver) and Arcons International got one gold medal.

The World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) is a global competition for national high school debate teams. Teams from all over the world gather in a battle of minds, discussing 13 different topics set by an international panel of debate experts.

 eft to right onathan urungi eremiah atongole enneth amukama eff sengooba and alvin asike Left to right: Jonathan Murungi, Jeremiah Katongole, Kenneth Kamukama, Jeff Ssengooba and Calvin Wasike

 
Uganda was one of the 50 countries at the global stage. There were 4,000 participants in the competition, according to the organisers' official records.

Kenneth Kamukama, one of the contestants from the Light Academy who was intercepted by New Vision and the team returning from the trip says, "This competition was mainly about bringing young people together, to learn about our world."

 "With topics meant to open our minds to the realities of the world," Kamukama adds.

Ibrahim Ntale, another Light Academy student says, "We started the competition in Uganda before moving on to Malaysia and later USA at Yali University. I won a silver medal in writing." He adds that this participation helped him to gain confidence while interacting with people.

Albert Mugungu, a teacher in-charge of the World school cup competitions at Light Academy said the victory, "Is for Uganda, and not only the winning schools."

"We won the competition in Uganda alongside other schools. We later went to Malaysia. Our schools still sieved through and five schools went to the finals in the United States," he says.

He says that while in US, 12 students were grouped into Junior and Senior groups in various competitions.   

Nimanya Garry Darious, one of the parents of the students at Light Academy says, "This was a good opportunity for students to learn. It should not always be classroom work."

 eft to right amule ugisha  rnest iggwe and ranklin iggwe on arrival  from the orld chools ebating hampionship  Left to right: Samule Mugisha , Ernest Kiggwe and Franklin Kiggwe on arrival from the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC)

 
How to join the competition

Stage 1

Registration process for WSDC 2018 opens on January 28th and will be done through our online registration form.

Registration deadline is April 1st. Please make sure you register in time as all deadlines will be strictly enforced to avoid last minute dropouts.

During Stage 1, delegations will be required to submit delegate names and roles, as well as a payment of at least 50% of their total participation fee. Invoices for both delegations and independent adjudicators can be generated through the online registration system. Stage 1 registration is obligatory and a prerequisite to be able to advance to Stage 2.

Stage 2 Registration

Submit delegation details by May 20th.

Stage 2 registration starts on April 2nd and lasts until May 20th. During Stage 2, delegations will be required to provide detailed information on their delegates, as well as submit necessary documents (travel insurance, Code of Conduct, EFL/ESL forms, passport scans, visa paperwork, and photo release forms) and the rest of their payment. Visa guarantee letters will be issued to delegations and individuals after they submit all relevant documentation.

Full payment deadline is May 20th. A delegation's participation is guaranteed only if their fees are covered by May 20th.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});