Under USAID’s BAB Program, SOYVDA organized The Inter/intra-School General Knowledge Competition on July to August , 2024, which brought together the brightest minds from several schools in four targeted districts (Balcad, Jowhar, Mahas and Moqokori) in the Hirshabelle state. The competition aimed to foster a spirit of learning and healthy competition among students, encouraging them to broaden their knowledge horizons and improve their cognitive skills.
The competitors from each school was divided in four/five groups. In overall, the competition comprised two intuited and mind-boggling rounds for each group in areas like Somali, Science, Social and Islamic studies, History, Math, etc. All the rounds were keenly contested. It was heart-warming to see the students brimming with enthusiasm and exuberance as they vied with each other to answer questions that required deep knowledge. The quiz ended with the declaration of the results and the distribution of certificates of participation to each group.
During the opening session, SOYVDA’s youth engagement officer, Ms Safia Shukri, said, “we encourage positive competition and hope to bring out the best in all the students through such competitive events”. She congratulated the winning teams and encouraged the students to be updated by reading their books, newspapers, and other source of knowledge where they can benefit from some sort of knowledge.
Participants Profile
The competition saw 98 students from 14 schools in four districts in Hirshabelle, with each school fielding a team of five/six students. Out of the total, 39% were female while around 61% were male. The Following are also the number of schools that participated in the inter/intra-school general knowledge competition:
- Balcad agriculture
- Bula Baley
- Evergreen
- Garas Bintow
- Horseed
- Imaamu Shafici
- Imamu Nawawi
- Macalow Abiikar
- Mahas
- Moqokori School
- Sh Ahmed
- Sheekh Husein Adde
- Sheekh Oyaye
- Teedaan School
Format of the Competition
The competition was divided into two rounds: Preliminary, and Finals.
- Preliminary Round:
- Format: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) covering a wide range of topics including history, geography, science, math, and Islamic studies were used.
- Outcome: Out of the 4 teams, the top 2 teams with the highest scores advanced to the Finals.
- Finals:
- Format: This round featured more challenging questions and included a rapid-fire segment where teams had to answer as many questions as possible within a limited time.
- Outcome: The team with the highest score at the end of this round was declared the winner.
Highlights of the Event
- Breif remarks: The event started with an inspiring keynote speech by SOYVDA’s representatives who emphasized the importance of general knowledge in personal and academic development.
- Quiz Facilitators: The competition was conducted by Mr. Mohamed Farah, Safia Shukri, Jamac Mohamed and Liban Bashir.
- Innovative Questioning: The questions were designed to not only test the factual knowledge of the participants but also their critical and analytical thinking and ability to work under pressure.
Results
- Champion: The following schools emerged as the overall champions in each district, demonstrating exceptional knowledge and teamwork throughout the competition:
- Evergreen School
- Sheikh Ahmed School
- Moqokori School
- Horseed School
Awards and Prizes
The winning teams received gifts. Additionally, all participants were awarded participation certificates to acknowledge their efforts and enthusiasm.
Conclusion
The Inter-School General Knowledge Competition was a great success, and achieving its goal of promoting the learning experience among students from different schools. The event highlighted the importance of general knowledge in shaping well-rounded individuals and encouraged students to continue their quest for knowledge beyond the classroom. The organizing committee extends its gratitude to all the participating schools, and our partners, who made this event possible.
