Schools use debate to tackle drug abuse, early marriages

Latwell Nyangu

THE High Schools Debate Challenge (HiDC) organised a workshop at Chinhoyi High School yesterday aimed at educating young students on how to fight drug abuse and child marriages.

The workshop, which attracted about 28 schools, sought to equip the students with the knowledge and skills to combat social issues such as abuse, drugs and early marriage, using intellectual discourse.

HiDC coordinator, National Marwa, said the debates empowered students to hold societal institutions accountable for their problems and was hopeful that the programme would expand to cover all the country’s 10 provinces.

“Through the debate and public speaking method, students have taken the centre stage in holding societal institutions accountable for the woes affecting them.

“They are aware of who and what should be done to protect them from drugs, abuse and early marriages and are bold enough to speak through various platforms back at home.

“This year our target is to run debate competitions in all the 10 provinces and hold a national competition with more schools than last year.

“We also hope to identify talented students and put them on public platforms for them to get exposure,” Marwa said.