Bank of Kigali (BK) has partnered with IDebate Rwanda to provide entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills to young people in Rwanda through debating. According to BK, the partnership aims to equip youth with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed financial and life decisions as well as to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in the country. In that line, IDebate Rwanda organised a competition with SDG13: Climate Change as the theme for debate on Saturday, February 11 at Riviera High School. The debate was won by Kagarama Secondary School after defeating GS Remera Rukoma in the finals. Speaking to the media, Jean-Michel Habineza, Executive Director at iDebate commended Bank of Kigali for their support stating that they are now working with 60 percent of the public schools which was not the case before. “Before students from twelve years Basic Education or some public schools used to have challenges hindering their performance in debates such as lack of facilities, for instance, laboratories among others,” he said However, BK supported them financially in helping such schools to access the debate programme and so far the bank is now fully covering debate expenses for 25 schools. Habineza pointed out that most people used to think that debates are for people in Kigali or well-equipped schools but with BK support, public schools as well as those studying twelve years of basic education, can attend debates and win them. He further said that they are working on selecting a national team which will compete outside the country in several competitions. During the same event, BK awarded all teams that made it to the finals as well as the top five speakers. Gift Nyagatare, a senior three student at Kagarama Secondary School said that they are delighted to win this tournament adding that as future leaders, they have to make good decisions as well as contribute to the world’s development through debating of major policies. The Best speaker of the competition, Lisa Ineza Umubyeyi, a student at Remera Rukoma secondary school shared her gratitude toward everyone who supported her to win since this was her third time saying that her secret to success is believing in herself and knowing that she had the capacity to do it. Umubyeyi revealed that such a competition helps students be open-minded as well as learn more about public speaking and being exposed to various topics in all corners of life. In addition, she concluded by urging her fellow students to attend debates saying that they are helpful and everything is possible not for males only or Kigali based schools.
