By Sahrfoa Matturie
Charles Champion, a representative from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, has extended an official invitation to St. Joseph Secondary School in Makeni to participate in the upcoming Civic Quiz Competition. The event will take place on the second day of the Sierra Leone Civic Festival at the Miatta Civic Center in Freetown.
St. Joseph Secondary School, which recently emerged as the top-performing junior secondary school in Makeni following the release of the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results, welcomed the invitation with enthusiasm. School administrators and prefects expressed their eagerness to join the competition, which seeks to strengthen civic awareness and national responsibility among young people.
Champion praised the school for its proactive engagement.
“It’s inspiring to see St. Joseph Secondary School step forward for such an important national event,” he said. “This quiz provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of civic duties, government processes, and their role in building a better Sierra Leone.”
The Sierra Leone Civic Festival—an initiative of Minister Chernor Bah—aims to bridge communication gaps between the government and citizens, promote accountability, and enhance civic engagement across the country. The Civic Quiz Competition is one of the festival’s central highlights, bringing together students from schools nationwide to test their knowledge of national history, governance, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Champion noted that St. Joseph’s outstanding academic record made the school well-positioned to lead in the competition.
“Their BECE performance demonstrates their commitment to excellence,” he said. “Participating in this competition will further enrich their understanding of government and citizenship.”
The Civic Festival and its activities form part of the ministry’s broader efforts to educate young Sierra Leoneans about democracy, civic participation, and national development. Champion emphasized that empowering students with such knowledge is essential to the country’s future.
Minister Chernor Bah continues to champion civic education, describing the festival as a landmark platform for cultivating informed, active citizens.
“The Civic Festival gives us a chance to learn together and strengthen our democracy,” he said. “By promoting civic awareness and creating spaces for dialogue, we aim to build a more engaged and responsible citizenry.”
With anticipation growing nationwide, schools, organizations, and communities are preparing to engage in the festival’s diverse activities. The Ministry of Information and Civic Education hopes the event will promote unity and strengthen public understanding of civic duty.
Champion concluded his visit by encouraging other schools across Sierra Leone to take part.
“This is an incredible opportunity for students to learn and contribute to the nation’s development,” he said. “We look forward to seeing Sierra Leone’s future leaders participate.” The upcoming festival marks another significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to advance democracy, accountability, and active citizenship—with the Civic Quiz Competition at the center of this national initiative.
