Publication Date 25.02.2019
By Dren Gërbeshi
On February 14 th , with the support of the USAID’s ASSET Program, and in partnership with Riinvest college, inside the spacious facilities of Xhevdet Doda Gymnasium in Pristina, the students, self- organized, many of whom are active members of the Career Club, arranged and successfully conducted a formal debate based on the British Parliament format. By the time the Program staff arrived at the venue, the desks, chairs and other necessary equipment were already placed in front of each seat.
The students were prepared for the debate to get started, while most of them were 11 th graders, some of them were 10 th , nevertheless, this didn’t curb any of their enthusiasm at all. In order to preserve the relevance of the career club the students chose very coherent topics based on circumstances which directly or indirectly influence their future. To challenge their critical thinking patterns, they chose the intriguing topic of whether the Public University of Pristina should restrict the number of potential upcoming students in the fields that do not promote new jobs.
Starting from the Prime Minister’s simulative role to the last speaker from the ‘opposition row’, the arguments from both sides were very interesting and persuasive. The judges were very attentive while scrutinizing the students’ performance and their final judgment was well received and encouraging. Considering some of the students’ lack of experience in formal debates, their performance was outstanding, giving a hint that such activities can really enhance and expose their soft skills. In the question whether the career club activities would contribute positively in their future and personal development, a participant stated:
Yes without a doubt, because they will help us acquire professional skills. They also help using the existing professional skills that we possess, if we have to deal with informing and calming down a patient for instance. Without developing soft skills it’s hard to acquire professional skills- said Amina Kaja, 11 th grader from Xhevdet Doda Gymnasium.
The debate was organized by the Career Club of Xhevdet Doda gymnasium, managed by students in cooperation with teacher. The Club was formed with the support of the Program to inform students on careers, to offer work experiences in different companies and to develop students’ life and work skills.
The Career Club in Xhevdet Doda School is one of the best opportunities that we as students are provided through extracurricular activities, which influence our personal development in a different way, an entertaining one - said Leart Bytyqi, a student who participated in the debate.
The After School Support for Teens Program promotes the development of life and work soft skills which contribute to employability among youth. The ten skills identified by the Program as contributing to Program’s goals of preparing youth for life and work in the 21 st century are: Critical thinking; Communication; Problem-solving; Creativity; Emotional Intelligence; Conscientiousness; Perseverance; Team work; Research (information gathering) skill; and Entrepreneurial skills.
