In a well contested debate organised by the Banjul Demba Cultural Organisation, sponsored by Gambia Tours and Gambia National Lottery in the Educational Forum segment of the recently concluded 13th edition of the Banjul Demba Cultural Festival, the Methodist Lower Basic School, Saint Joseph Upper Basic School and the Gambia Senior Secondary School, emerged the best debaters in a debate contest held at the Laico Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

The topic of debate which was ‘Teacher-pupil relationship’ was first dealt with in detail by Amicoleh Mbaye, director of Basic and Secondary Education, who represented the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education.

Before the floor was opened for the 18 invited schools within Banjul to present their papers, Amicoleh Mbaye said, “the give and take of feelings between the teacher and his pupils will depend both upon the teacher’s behaviour with the pupils and the pupils' conduct towards the teacher. Whilst one teacher is unanimously loved as people wait with excitement in his class another teacher is universally disliked and pupils are always eager to hear the ringing of the bell, which will relieve them from the infliction of his teaching.”

According to her, the dearness or otherwise of pupils towards their teachers depends on the personal qualities of the teacher. 'The teacher, if he he is professional, honest and has the human side of his character developed, he will naturally become a universally popular teacher. Therefore teachers should mix freely with pupils outside the classroom,” she encouraged.

She urged the teachers to be honest, open and trustworthy in their relationships with pupils because the teacher-student relationship should be one that enhances learning and not compromising it. “In brief, teachers are seen wearing many titles besides being teachers because they are psychologist, mothers, fathers, friends and advisers.

As the debate commenced, 8 lower basic schools; namely St Mary's, Rev JC Faye, Muhammedan, Campama, Methodist, Albion, Wesley and St Joseph presented one candidate each. The upper basic schools were, St Augustine, Garba Jahumpa, St Joseph, Crab Island and Rev JC Faye and the senior category were, Muslim, Gambia High, St Augustine, Rev JC Faye and St Joseph Senior Secondary Schools and they all presented a student each to represent them. All the students, from lower basic to the senior secondary schools did extremely well.

At the end ofthe competition, Methodist Lower Basic, St Joseph Upper Basic and Gambia Senior Secondary Schools, emerged winners and went home with a giant trophy each and D5,000.00 cash prize. While D1,000.00 was given as a consolation prize to each of the schools that participated.