A team of pupils from Parental Care Nursery and Primary School in Bushenyi has set off for Kigali, Rwanda, to participate in this year’s Pan-African Junior Schools Debate Championship.
The team will represent Uganda at the three-day competition, which started on Friday and has attracted more than 100 schools from across the African continent.
The championship provides young debaters a platform to sharpen their skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Flagging off the team at Tuzza Hotel in Bushenyi Town, Bushenyi District Speaker Douglas Mucunguzi hailed the school for its consistent excellence in both academics and co-curricular activities.
“Parental Care School continues to lift the district’s flag high through excellent PLE results and active participation in national and international competitions,” Mucunguzi said. “We are proud of these young ambassadors representing Bushenyi at the continental level.”
Parent and education activist Apollo Lee Kakonge urged the pupils to aim for victory.
“You are going not just to participate but to win,” Kakonge said. “Carry with you discipline, confidence, and commitment. You have all it takes to return home as champions.”
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Kakonge pledged continued support to the school and its learners.
“We shall continue supporting the school to ensure our children excel in both academics and co-curricular activities,” he added.
Headteacher Desmond Tayebwa underscored the role of debate in nurturing well-rounded learners.
“Debate builds confidence, self-esteem, and critical thinking skills, which contribute greatly to academic success,” Tayebwa said. “We are confident our team will perform exceptionally well.”
Parental Care Nursery and Primary School is also expected to represent Uganda at this year’s Africa Spelling Bee Competition in Algeria next month, after emerging overall national winner.
This follows the school’s outstanding performance at the Enjuba Spelling Bee held last month at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
In Algeria, Parental Care will compete alongside other top Ugandan schools, including Tororo Parents School and Pax Junior School.
Arinaitwe Leah, one of the pupils on the team, said she was excited to represent Uganda on the international stage and hoped to make her school and district proud.
Over the years, Parental Care Nursery and Primary School has consistently ranked among the country’s top performers in both academics and co-curricular activities, cementing its reputation as a centre of excellence.
