The City Hall was a battleground of wits as students from various schools within the City of Kigali tussled it out in a debate contest.

More than 100 student participants challenged one another in group activities that involved debating with themes centred on development.

Most of the secondary schoo students exuded confidence in their debating, itting their wits with oratory skills.

Daniella Uwase, from Riviera High School, attributed her enhanced public speaking skills to reading and debating.

"I have improved my communication skills in front of large audiences but the ultimate achievement has been being able to address the problems of my country through speaking out my mind,” Uwase said.

For Gisa Daniel Ndaremwe, a senior six student from Camp Kigali, the beginning was tough because stage fright always hindered his real expressions.

"Even before cameras, addressing audiences is now a walk over, thanks to these interschool debating competitions,” Ndaremwe said.

Emma Kaneza, a senior three student from Lycee Notre Dame de Citeaux, said from the debates, he learnt to dig deeper when carrying out research.

The City vice mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Hope Tumukunde, advised students not to shun such activities since they aim at improving the quality of education in schools and it was one way of supplementing class work.

"The more you do research and read, the more you build self confidence, and that is what students need in today’s competitive world,” Tumukunde said.

Stephen Mugisha, a publisher and debating consultant, said access to education in Rwanda may no longer be a problem, but additional skills were still required by students.

He urged students to embrace such competitions.

The challenges kicked off in mid last month with a total of 308 schools competing in debate, reading and writing.Outstanding performers will be awarded on June 26, during the Kigali Educational Summit.

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