“Debating clubs ignite the spark of critical thinking, empowering students to voice their opinions, challenge the status quo, and become catalysts for positive change in their communities.” KB
Join The Debating Cup
This initiative seeks to establish debating clubs in rural Ugandan primary schools to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and empowerment among students. By leveraging well-established data and aligning with TOUCEO’s mission, we aim to address the root causes of poverty through education.
Why Debating Cup
Debating is a powerful educational tool with proven benefits for students. Research indicates that participation in debating enhances critical thinking skills, improves communication abilities, boosts confidence, and promotes leadership qualities (Els, 2019). These skills are essential for success in both academic and professional settings, providing students with a competitive advantage in their future endeavors. By introducing debating clubs in primary schools, we can equip students with the necessary tools to navigate complex challenges and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Key Objectives
Networking
To build a network of innovative minds towards cross-pollination of ideas for continental development.
Foster interactions
To foster social interaction and networking towards impactful collaborations now and in the future through team work.
Develop leadership traits
To develop in young Africans the leadership traits of sound reasoning, intellectual discourse, and diplomatic relations.
Increase confidence
To increase individual confidence while maintaining openness, tolerance and respect for differing views
Impact on Educational Outcomes
The establishment of debating clubs aligns with TOUCEO’s objective of advancing education in rural Ugandan communities. Studies have shown that extracurricular activities, such as debating, have a positive impact on academic performance (Mahoney et al., 2005). Engaging in debates encourages students to conduct research, think critically, and articulate their ideas effectively, thereby enhancing their overall learning experience. By integrating debating into the curriculum, we can promote active learning and stimulate intellectual curiosity among students, leading to improved educational outcomes.
Empowerment and Leadership Development
Debating empowers students to voice their opinions, challenge prevailing norms, and advocate for change. In the context of rural African communities, where marginalised voices often go unheard, debating clubs can serve as platforms for empowerment and self-expression. By participating in debates, students develop confidence in their abilities, learn to assert themselves respectfully, and gain valuable leadership experience. These skills are instrumental in breaking the cycle of systemic poverty by empowering individuals to pursue opportunities and advocate for their rights.
It is from this very platform that TOUCEO gains insights for new projects. By listening to the students’ discussions and ideas, TOUCEO can better understand the most pressing needs within the community. For instance, during a recent debating competition, the students highlighted the need for teacher empowerment to improve classroom performance. Inspired by this insightful perspective, TOUCEO has decided to invest in teacher empowerment programs. This direct feedback loop between the students’ debates and TOUCEO’s initiatives ensures that our projects are responsive, relevant, and grounded in the community’s lived experiences.
Social and Cultural Impact
Debating clubs promote inclusivity, diversity, and tolerance by encouraging open dialogue and respectful exchange of ideas. In diverse societies like rural Uganda, where ethnic, linguistic, and cultural differences exist, debating fosters understanding and mutual respect among students from various backgrounds. By engaging in constructive debates on relevant issues, students learn to appreciate different perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and work collaboratively towards common goals. This promotes social cohesion and harmony within communities, contributing to the overall development and well-being of society.
Prizes and Awards
Books & Vouchers
Participants would receive educational resources to support them in their learning and development.
Mentorship
Student will be able to enroll in our mentorship program
Certificates
We award certificates of achievement to recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and skills development of individuals who participated in our debate programs.
Overall, Price
We throw a party for the overall winning school
To find out more, do get in touch by clicking here
Long-Term Sustainability
The establishment of debating clubs is not merely a short-term intervention but a sustainable investment in the future of rural Ugandan schools. By nurturing critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills, debating empowers students to become active agents of change in their societies. As these students graduate and enter the workforce, they will bring with them the values and skills instilled through debating, thus contributing to the socio-economic development of their communities. Additionally, the establishment of debating clubs creates a legacy of intellectual engagement and academic excellence, inspiring future generations to pursue educational opportunities and strive for success.
Implementation Plan
The implementation of debating clubs will involve collaboration with local schools, educators, and community leaders. TOUCEO will provide training and resources to facilitate the establishment and operation of debating clubs, including curriculum development, mentorship programs, and access to educational materials. Special emphasis will be placed on promoting gender equality and inclusion, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to participate and excel in debating activities. Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will be put in place to assess the impact of the program and make necessary adjustments to optimize outcomes.
Program Information
Event Format
Schools will be trained to contest based on the British Parliamentary (BP) Debate format. Schools will compete in groups of 4 in cascading stages to determine the winning teams.
Venues
Preliminaries: Neutral venues of other participating schools.
Grand finale: A theater venue.
Cost of Registration
Free
School’s Responsibility.
A debate Team of at least 4 students & 1 coach
Completion of the application form here
Proposed Dates
School Debate Teams Training: March – Apr
Debate Preliminaries: April – June
Debate Grand Finale: August
Coaching and Preparation
The TOUCEO Debate Cup team will conduct training for all registered debate teams on the debate format.
Adjudicators
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