By Emmanuel Bida | Program Manager
The second edition of the Juba Secondary Schools Mini Competition kicked off on 1 July 2025, engaging over 200 students and 16+ teachers from eight rigorously selected secondary schools in Juba. Contest categories included Spelling Bee, Speed Challenge Quiz, Speech, Academic Debate, and, for the first time, Music and Dance and Drama. The competition aimed to boost academic performance, foster inter-school collaboration, and promote sportsmanship through structured academic and cultural contests.
Students demonstrated increased confidence, creativity, and knowledge, while teachers provided strong mentorship and coordination. An estimated 4,000+ spectators attended the ten successful fixtures, reflecting high community interest. Despite the event's early achievements, the grand finale was cancelled due to unresolved disputes during the semifinal stage. This outcome highlighted the urgent need for clearer dispute resolution mechanisms and improved judging consistency.
Key lessons learned include the importance of a code of conduct, well-trained judges, and strong communication across schools. Moving forward, the project will introduce structured academic exchange visits, reinforce training for officials, and enforce a code of conduct. Feedback from schools and students has been overwhelmingly positive, with a strong call for the competition’s continuation and expansion.
EFSS remains committed to building youth confidence, academic excellence, and school collaboration in South Sudan through safe, inclusive, and well-organised platforms. The team is already working on new interventions to strengthen future editions of the competition and create more opportunities for student engagement.
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