JJC Hai Negli Primary School on Gondokoro Island near Juba City on Monday held an inter-class debate to promote equal opportunities in education for boys and girls.
The debate, held under the motion “Boys and girls should be given the same opportunity in education,” brought together pupils to discuss gender equality and children’s rights.
James Ladu Joseph, the school’s director of studies, said the debate was to help learners understand their rights and recognize the importance of equality between boys and girls.
“If you are a boy, you need to know that you are equal to the girls, and if you are a girl, you need to know your rights,” he said.
Ladu said cooperation between pupils, teachers and the wider community was necessary to support children’s education and development.
For his party, Amos Abiria John, Programme Manager at Women Foundation for Humanity, said the debate provided pupils with an opportunity to build confidence and develop communication and public speaking skills.
“Today’s debate has been an important learning opportunity for the pupils of JCC,” he said. “The competition gave them a safe platform to express their views, build confidence, improve their communication and public speaking skills, and they learn how to discuss important issues affecting children and pupils in the community.”
Abiria added that the pupils demonstrated the ability to discuss issues including gender-based violence, child protection, child marriage, and the rights and responsibilities of children.
He urged teachers, the church and other stakeholders to listen to pupils and create more opportunities for them to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
“We therefore call upon the teachers, the church of this place and all the stakeholders to listen to the pupils and protect their rights and create more opportunities for them to speak and participate in decision-making in areas that are affecting their lives,” he urged.
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