Emstret School Challenge is a program aimed at promoting literacy, self-expression and improving vocabulary skills for young Papua New Guinean’s in schools throughout the country.
The program was initiated today at the Gateway Hotel by Emstret Holdings Ltd Director, Vani Nades.
The debating part of the program began today at the Gateway Hotel with Marianville Secondary School on the affirmative side challenging Koiari Park Adventist School, on the topic: “The PNG government should spend more on Primary and Secondary Schools for free and quality education.”
The program, spearheaded by Vani Nades, will see four secondary and one high school compete over the course of three days on debating topics on development issues currently faced by Papua New Guineans. Initially, Emstret School Challenge secured the interest of a good number of schools, however, due to the fact that the competition dates fall in line with the secondary schools examination dates, the turnout has dropped significantly.
The schools participating in the inter-school debates are Gerehu Secondary School, Jubilee Secondary School, Marianville Secondary School, Port Moresby International School and a first time contender, Koiari Park Adventist School, which is also the only high school competing in the program.
The winning team will represent Papua New Guinea at the Melanesian Championships to be staged in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Apart from the debating program, Primary schools will not miss out, as there is also a Spelling-bee program for the younger ones, who will challenge each other to claim the Spelling-bee Champions title.
Overall, the program comprises of debating challenges, spelling tests and a poetry slam to seek creativity among the youngsters competing in the program.
A notable presence was Dagia Aka, a former Jubilee Secondary School student and speaker. Dagia spoke on public speaking confidence and his debating experience, which in his years, was known as the IBS inter-school debates. Apart from being an invaluable member of the Jubilee Secondary School debate team who were National Champions in 2012, after defeating Sir Tei Abal Secondary School from Enga, Dagia took out the best male speaker award.
His presence at today’s event was appreciated by contestants and organisers who took into account his moving talk.
