National Public Speaking Competition - BSA primary, Perseverance secondary and STA excel |27 July 2018
Baie Ste Anne (BSA) primary school, Perseverance secondary school and the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) are the grand winners of the National Public Speaking Competition held in June to commemorate Constitution Day.
The competition is a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development (MEHRD) and the SIDS Youth Hub Seychelles (SYAH).
It was the first time that such a public speaking competition was organised for educational institutions, including primary schools, on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. The two previously held competitions on Constitution Day were in the forms of debates only for secondary schools and professional centres.
Best proposers of the vote of thanks: (l to r) Elodie Ah-Time (Beau Vallon primary), Mazielle Ntep (Perseverance secondary) and Raphaella Bouchereau (STA)
The participants received their prizes in a small ceremony held yesterday morning at the MEHRD’s hall, Mont Fleuri.
The prizes included trophies, certificates, tablets, portable drives, dictionaries and mini DVD hi-fi.
The prize giving ceremony was attended by the ministry’s special advisor, Merida Delcy, principal secretaries Dr Odile de Commarmond and Dr Linda Barallon, other high officials of the ministry, the students and their teachers.
With 91.6 points, BSA primary school was way ahead of second place Plaisance primary school on 86.6 points and joint third finishers La Digue and Grand Anse primary schools on 85.6 points.
The BSA team of Karym Port-Louis, Anella D’Unienville and Judith Germain received their award and prizes from Dr de Commarmond.
The theme for their presentation was ‘Right to a healthy environment (Article 38(a)’ in the Constitution which states, “The state should take measures to promote the protection, preservation and improvement of the environment”.
The three students from Praslin said they were expecting to win as they had practiced a lot and was well prepared.
“We’ve learned that not many people like to help in the environment,” said Germain.
In the second category, Perseverance secondary school scored 95 points to outclass second place La Digue school on 85 points and third place Belonie secondary on 80 points.
The Perseverance team of Nailah Philoe (S2), Mazielle Ntep (S3) and Tusha Labrosse (S1) also took their winning trophy and other prizes from Dr de Commarmond. The group had chosen ‘Article 31: Rights of Minor’ which states, “The State undertakes to provide that the minimum age of admission to employment shall be fifteen years, subject to exceptions for children who are employed part-time in light work prescribed by law without harm to their health, morals or education”.
The three said their chances of winning were slim and they had betted on the Anse Boileau secondary school to win.
“We were a bit afraid but even though we came from different classes and with loads of pressure, we were able to work well among ourselves and we made it,” said Ntep.
In a closely fought encounter, STA rallied 87 points to win the professional centre’s category followed in second position on 85 points by the School of Advance Level Studies (Sals) and in third place was Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA) on 83 points.
The STA team comprising Juliette Ernesta, Raphaella Bouchereau and Beatriz Nagarian were presented with their trophy and prizes by Dr Barallon.
The three students, from the Advance Diploma in Hospitality Management course, chose ‘Article 40: Fundamental Duties’, for their deliberation which states, “It shall be the duty of every citizen of Seychelles to contribute towards the well-being of the community”.
They said they were also not expecting to win but were very happy to have won. “We took our research very deep on a community perspective as a whole and not from our eyes as students,” said Ernesta.
All contestants were also presented with certificates of participation.
Sheirmila Philoe from Plaisance primary school, Nailah Philoe from Persevarance secondary school and Nija Nagnesia from Sals were voted as best speakers.
The prize for the best proposer of the vote of thanks went to Elodie Ah-Time from Beau Vallon primary school, Mazielle Ntep from Perseverance secondary school and Raphaella Bouchereau from STA.
As for the public speaking competition which began on June 20 for schools on Praslin and La Digue, on June 21 for secondary schools on Mahé, on June 22 for professional centres and June 27 for primary schools, the participants, as per school category, had to choose one theme given to them from three different articles in the Constitution for their presentation.
Dr Derothy Felix, principal education officer, said that the ministry was very happy with the level of performance and participation but wished for better participation from more schools especially private schools.
Next year’s event will comprise public speaking competitions for primary schools only and debates for secondary schools and professional centres.
Best speakers: (from left above) Sheirmila Philoe (Plaisance primary), Nailah Philoe (Persevarance secondary) and Nija Nagnesia (Sals)
