The 2nd BOTHASTED’s Annual Science Quiz and Debate competitions were held on September 27, 2006 at the University of Botswana. The day’s program was started by an inaugural address by Professor Runner Majinda who encouraged participants to consider science as a vehicle for progress. He said there were many occasions and opportunities that one meets in life and that some of these end up shaping one’s future. He hoped that these competitions could be such events for those participating.
A total of 12 schools participated in the competitions. Five of the twelve schools came from far away places and these were Ghanzi, Masunga, Lotsane, and Francistown Senior Secondary Schools and Bobonong Junior Secondary School. The other seven schools were from Lobatse (Crescent), Molepolole (Kgari Sechele) and Gaborone (Al-Nur, Legae, New Era, Maru-a-Pula and Rainbow). Most schools brought in two teams of two students each and a teacher.
Following the inaugural address, all attending schools were invited to write the first round of the quiz which was made of 75 questions. Each school was only allowed to enter one team of two students. After the first round, the participants toured the Faculty of Science facilities.
After lunch, there was a debate between New Era and Al-Nur. The moderator was Dr. B. Mmereki while the judges were Drs. Oyetunji, Nnyepi, Nareetsile and Jacob. The selection was based on the written essays on the use of insecticides. Bobonong Junior Secondary came third in the write-up. The debate topic was Disadvantages and Advantages of using insecticides. New Era debated against the motion while Al-Nur argued for the motion. Al-Nur was represented by Saman Farroukhi and Saba Mohyuddin whereas New Era Secondary was represented by Dimpho Angel Marata and Tefo Tshukudu. Al-Nur won the inaugural debate competition. New Era Secondary got the second prize. Dimpho was adjudged as the best debater.
Six schools proceeded to the second round based on the results of the first round. In the second round Rainbow emerged winners and tie-breaker gave the second place to Crescent, Lobatse and Masunga Senior Secondary got the third prize.
The closing ceremony was chaired by the BOTHASTED chairman. Dr. S. Sebusang and the cash prizes and certificates were given away by the Dean, School of Graduate Studies Prof. C. Haavik.
BOTHASTED Mission
: To serve as a catalyst in the harnessing of S&T for Botswana’s economic development with particular emphasis on indigenous resources
