By Prince J. Musa in Kenema
As part of the 60th independence Anniversary celebration of the republic of Sierra Leone, the National Council for Civic Education and Development (NaCCED) has on the 26th April 2021 organized a quiz competition for five junior secondary schools at the Eastern Polytechnic campus in Kenema.
In his statement, the Director of Communication and Outreach (NaCCED) Kissma Gassama disclosed that the event was created to ascertain the efforts made by the council to reintroduce civic education. He stated that civic education will enable the school going children to know how they could contribute meaningfully toward the development of the country and to enable them compete among themselves how knowledgeable they are about civic education in the country.
He spoke about the contentious political arguments that adults engage in these days which has prompted the council to undertake this venture nationwide in capturing the minds of the pupils earlier about the importance of civics in the governance of this country.
’’We want to catch them young at schools level ’’, Gassama pointed out. He said the current situation that is unfolding in the country with adults and youths participating in violence were as a result of their ignorance of their civic responsibilities as citizens, otherwise issues that will cause mayhem in the country would not have happened in the society.
He said at 60 Sierra Leoneans need to reflect as to what their achievements are as citizens and to chart the way forward for national cohesion.
The regional officer Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Alusine Kpaluhun expressed delight over the venture taken by the NaCCED in organizing the quiz competition on civic education. He described education as one big weapon which can be used to transform any nation and therefore encouraged the pupils to see this as an opportunity for them to take their education as their future, adding that debates and quiz competition will help to broaden their knowledge and enable them to be outspoken.
Kpuluhun commended the government of Sierra Leone especially the President for introducing the Free Quality Education in the country as education will be the only tool that will help transform this nation to development. He said the essence of the programme is to ensure political tolerance and ensure national cohesion and understanding the governance system in the country.
NaCCED regional coordinator East, Ibrahim Batilo Janneh said civic education operates on civility and tolerance which citizens are expected to practice for national unity and development.
Holy Trinity, Islamic, Luke Commercial, Government Secondary and Holy Rosary were the schools that participated in the quiz.
Government Secondary School took first position, Holy Trinity came second followed by Islamic Secondary School in third. Holy Rosary and Luke Commercial were fourth and fifth respectively.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 28/04/21)
