Primary school pupils in Juba receive debate training to boost critical thinking skills

Author: Joseph Henry Finish

Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) conducted a one-day debate and speech training session for students and staff at Embrace Primary School in Kapuri, Juba. The training, held on Saturday, 2 August 2025, at the school premises, was requested by the school to help its pupils develop critical thinking and public speaking skills.

The day started with participants engaging in a mock debate on the motion “This House Believes That Every Child Deserves Quality Education”, which allowed them to showcase their talents and skills as the teachers and facilitators watched carefully while taking notes. After the opposition was declared as the winners, the facilitators were given a chance to air out their observations and corrections were made where necessary. Both the learners and teachers showed great enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

The session was facilitated by two experienced debate and speech judges from EFSS, Joseph Henry and Emmanuel Bida both of whom guided the more than twenty (20) pupils, five (05) teachers, and five (05) administrators through various debate formats, including the British Parliamentary Debate, World Schools Debate Championships (WSDC), and Public Forum, as well as the fundamentals of debate, covering key areas such as structuring arguments, conducting research, and delivering persuasive speeches.

The training aimed to go beyond the technical aspects of debate. The facilitators emphasised the importance of teamwork, respectful disagreement, and actively listening to opposing viewpoints. Joseph noted that "debate is not just about winning an argument; it's about building confidence and learning how to articulate your ideas clearly and respectfully."

Emmanuel Bida concluded the session by expressing his admiration for the students' potential, stating, "The energy and intelligence we saw today are a testament to the bright future of these young minds. We are confident that they will use these skills to make a positive impact." The school administration expressed its gratitude to EFSS for the valuable training, which they believe will be instrumental in the students' academic and personal growth.

The training at Embrace Primary School is part of a broader initiative by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) to support a culture of intellectual inquiry and civic engagement among young people in South Sudan. Equipping students with these skills helps them to become future leaders who can contribute meaningfully to their communities.

At the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan, we are a force of intervention, always acting to enhance the best interests of communities to realise an improved standard of living. The organisation provides education, leadership development, and community-building initiatives to support individuals and marginalised communities through grassroots activities encouraging literacy, community peace, tolerance, and development.

We invite you to join us in our mission. Your generous support can help us continue our work and reach even more needy individuals. If you want to make a difference, please don’t hesitate to donate. Contact us via email at [email protected] or send us a WhatsApp message. Together, we can build a brighter future for South Sudan. Thank you for your support!