By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has concluded the debate and quiz competition for schools in Bo District.
The competition which was held on Monday, 13th of October, 2025, is part of the Civic Day Series that is ongoing at De Wizzard Complex.
Eight schools took part in both the quiz and debate competition, putting to test their knowledge in history, civics, and governance.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Andrew Seanni Kamara said the event was part of the ministry’s role to expand civic education across the country.
“We are happy to be finally in Bo, we have done this program all across the country to strengthen civic education in districts. This is part of our role as a ministry to take civic education all over this country,” he said.

Resident Minister South, John Abu, praised the initiative and the ministry, highlighting the significance of civic education in schools.
“There was a time in this country when we knew a lot about our country, through civic education. I am happy the Ministry of Information and Civic Education is reviving civics in this country. This will contribute to raising the next generation of citizens with awareness, respect and love for Sierra Leone,” Minister Abu said.
Some of the schools that took part are Christ the King College, St Andrews Secondary School, Ahmadiyya Islamic Secondary School, Methodist High School, among others.
The eight contestants in the debate faced off each other in two rounds, with each round hosting four people. The top two winners in round one and two faced off in the final round. Jestina Smith from the Queen of the Rosary Secondary School (QRS) won.
The debate saw a similar format with the top four schools with the highest tally facing off in the semis and then the top two facing off in the final. Mustapha Fambulleh of Methodist High School faced off with Hawanatu Mansaray from Kate McGrath Secondary School in the final. After a gruelling debate, Fambulleh won by a close margin of two points.
Both students expressed their excitement about the competition, with Jestina saying: “This program has given me the confidence to express myself more, and also taught me a lot about civic duty and responsibility.”

Winners in both categories will now prepare to face other winners from different parts of the country in Freetown, during the Civic Festival this December.
On Tuesday, the program will climax with a major town hall, featuring key government officials, including the Ministers of Youth, Gender and Higher Education, moderated by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah.