Public School Students Are Not ‘Less Important’ — Student Speaks Out After Debate Experience

First Launch International School
Students
Image Source: Video

Students from First Launch International School has shared a powerful personal experience highlighting the stigma often faced by students in public schools, challenging widely held perceptions about their worth and potential.

Speaking after a recent debate competition, the student recounted an encounter that left a lasting impression on her. According to her, the moment revealed how deeply rooted societal bias against public school students can be.

“I remember one time I attended another church apart from my parish,” she said. “I was talking with a girl and she asked me, ‘Which school do you attend?’ I said, ‘First Launch International School, Agege.’ She responded, ‘Agege? A public school? I even thought you were someone that was important.’”

The comment, though casual, reflected a mindset that many public school students continue to face — the assumption that attending a public school automatically diminishes one’s value or intelligence.

Reacting to the experience, the student used the platform to send a clear message:

“We public school students, we are actually moving, we are doing things, we are brilliant. We are not what people think we are. We are not vagabonds or abandoned children. We are children with bright futures and potentials.”

Her words struck a deeper chord beyond the debate stage, touching on a broader societal issue where educational background is often used as a measure of worth.

The debate competition itself was described as intense and demanding, with participants highlighting the semi-final stage as the most challenging.

“The toughest debate was the semi-finals,” she explained. “At that point, if you lose, you’re either going home or advancing to the finals. There was no third option.”

Another participant also acknowledged the pressure but remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and faith.

“They have high potential too, they are very eloquent,” the student said about their opponents. “But with teamwork and God on our side, we can do it.”

Beyond the competition, the students also shared lighthearted moments about what they looked forward to after the rigorous academic exercise. From catching up on missed sleep to enjoying favorite meals like Amala, Ewedu, and Abacha, their responses reflected the balance between hard work and simple joys.

One student humorously noted, “I’m going back to sleep. We’ve missed a lot of sleep staying late for the quarter-finals and semi-finals.”

Another added, “I’ve been craving Abacha since the quarter-finals. That’s what I’m going to eat.”

While these lighter moments added a human touch, the core message remained clear: students in public schools are just as capable, driven, and ambitious as their peers anywhere else.

The story serves as a reminder that talent and intelligence are not defined by the name or location of a school, but by the determination and potential of the students themselves.

Watch the video below:

Video source: Instagram