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Midlands Christian College recently won the inaugural Association of Trust Schools (ATS) seniors’ debate competition that was hosted by First Mutual Life. The school beat 20 others schools from Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Kwekwe, Marondera, Masvingo, and Chinhoyi. The participating schools included Arundel High School, Chisipite High School, Christian Brothers College, Dominican Convent Bulawayo, Eaglesvale, Falcon College, Gateway School, Hellenic Academy, Kyle College, Girls College, Goldridge College, Lomagundi College, Masiyephabili College, Peterhouse Boys, Petra High School, St Georges College, St Johns College, Watershed and Westridge High School.
Dominican Convent Bulawayo was the first runner up followed by St Georges College and Christian Brothers College that was the third runner up.
The best male speaker is Ebenezer Kudita from Christian Brothers College and the best female speaker is Ropafadzo Phebeni from Midlands Christian School.
Speaking during the event the head in charge of ATS High schools debate in Zimbabwe, Sister Rudo Matsika from the Dominican Convent Bulawayo highlighted that the aim of the tournament was to widen exposure of debate, to make debate a nationwide as well as a worldwide experience, to create a league that will be continued for years to come and to improve eloquence and confidence in students.
“Our theme for this tournament is ‘Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success’.
“We have dared to start, we promise to keep together and make progress as well as to continue working together and be successful.
“At this, the launch of our ATS debate tournament, we have had 20 Schools participating and we hope to intensify the culture of debate in trust schools,” she said.
First Mutual Life managing director Ms Ruth B Ncube which was the guest of honour echoed the same sentiments: “As First Mutual Life, besides our passion to promote children, what gave us the impetus to support the debate competition ladies and gentlemen is the value that comes out of debating for the students, schools, corporates and ultimately the nation at large.
“Debate develops skills and knowledge that equips students to articulate their views in a logical, researched and well thought out manner, which I am sure you will all agree is an integral part of life skills and is needed at every step of the journey of life, be it at university, home, church or on the work front.
“Beyond their academic careers, debaters tend to enjoy success in the world of work and tend to become leaders in their schools and communities because they develop strong listening skills, tact, self-confidence, and often take on strong leadership roles within their teams.
“These are attributes that we look for in a person if one is to be considered for employment anywhere in the world”, she said.
Ms Ncube said the second phase the debate competition will be the juniors ATS debate competition to be held in September 2016 in Bulawayo.
It is envisaged that the competitions will be an annual event both for the seniors and juniors debaters from the Association of Trust Schools.
Apart from hosting the ATS debate, First Mutual Life continues to nurture talent through supporting activities such as the recently held National Association of School Heads athletics competition.
Through the First Mutual Foundation, the company also provides educational support to orphans and vulnerable children country wide to reintegrate them into formal school.
Online Reporter