DOMINICAN Convent has opened its doors wider this year, welcoming primary school learners into the CBZ Debate and Public Speaking Tournament for the first time, a move the school says reflects its belief in nurturing learners “from Early Childhood Development through primary school and into Upper Six.”
Announcing the new Junior and Senior Public Speaking categories for primary schools, Dominican Convent High School head Sr. Kudzai Mutsure said the addition was no afterthought.
“Before a learner becomes a confident debater or accomplished public speaker in high school, they begin by learning to read, write, spell and express themselves under the guidance of dedicated primary school teachers,” she said, adding that those early years “lay the foundation upon which confidence, critical thinking and effective communication are built.”
The tournament’s growth continues to be underpinned by title sponsor CBZ, whose backing has helped the competition expand well beyond its Dominican Convent roots to schools across Zimbabwe.
“As a national institution, CBZ’s support has enabled this tournament to grow… and reach schools from across Zimbabwe,” Sr. Mutsure said, describing a shared vision to build skills that extend “beyond the classroom.”
Teachers and coaches were also singled out for praise for the hours invested in preparing learners, while participants were urged to measure success beyond trophies.
“Every speech you deliver, every argument you present and every challenge you embrace is helping you become a more confident, thoughtful and courageous individual,” Sr. Mutsure said, encouraging competitors to “speak with conviction, listen with respect and compete with integrity.”
