The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School,
Dar es Salaam

The WSC, held from 1-3 March 2024, had 640 participants, including AKMSS, Dar es Salaam’s 42 students who stood as formidable competition for everyone. In total, the school secured an outstanding 160 gold medals, 70 silver medals, six team trophies and four individual trophies. Such remarkable achievement underscores the depth of talent and commitment within the student body, with regular debate club meetings and students’ persistence paying off. 

Grade 9 student Rafaela Alves was honoured with the prestigious role of leading the adjudicator panel for the debate showcase’s final round. She expressed her insights and experiences about the competition. 

“The WSC was a fascinating experience,” she said. “I learnt a lot about debating and how I may enhance my research abilities. I met a lot of new people while serving on a panel of judges for the first time in my life, and they taught me things I will never forget. I would recommend debating for any student seeking to try something new as it is not difficult – even for those who have never done it before.” 

AKMSS, Dar es Salaam was one of 14 schools that participated in this year’s WSC, which was hosted by the Feza International School.  

“Begin local and go global has never made more sense than when participating in the WSC debate competition,” said Ms Vinita Tomar, the head of the English department. “The journey of AKMSS, Dar es Salaam’s debating teams started with the Dar es Salaam regional round. Our participating squad of 42 students brought a humongous amount of medals and first-place trophies. Our debating teams have now qualified for global rounds; let’s wait for more exciting news later.” 

Grade 10 student Shimmer Gupta showcased exceptional skills at the competition and was crowned the best speaker of the event. Shimmer also participated in the debate showcase final round, where her team emerged victorious.  

“Participating in the World Scholar’s Cup was an incredible journey because I have not only won multiple medals and trophies but also created a significant friendship with my teammates,” she said. “I learnt that success is more than just individual performance; it is about optimising each team member's abilities towards a common objective. My advice for fellow students is to prioritise collaboration over competitiveness and to view both successes and disappointments as the process of growth. The World Scholar’s Cup helped me improve my academic skills and taught me significant life lessons I will keep with me long after the tournament.”  

The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam has been an active participant in the World Scholar’s Cup since 2018, with students participating in both regional and global rounds displaying the school’s commitment to education beyond the classroom. Congratulations to the students for their excellent achievement and a huge thank you to the debate club leaders and staff who guided and supported them during their journey.