８月２９日（火）、郡山市中央公民館多目的ホールに於いて『第６６回郡山市中学校英語弁論大会（第６６回福島県下中学校英語弁論大会予選会）』が開催され、本校から２名の子どもたちが参加しました。
　＜暗唱の部＞に遠藤さん（３年）が「Malala Yousafzai: Education First」を、堂々と発表しました。
　以下に発表した内容（英文）を掲載します。
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　　　Malala Yousafzai: Education First

　Thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery and a new life.
I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. I have received thousands of good wish cards and gifts from all over the world. Thank you to all.
　Dear brothers and sisters, do remember one thing. Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights. I speak not for myself, but for those without a voice.
　On the ninth of October, 2012, the Taliban shot me. They shot my friends, too. They thought that the bullet would silence us. But they failed. Out of that silence came thousands of voices. Strength, power, and courage were born.
　I am here to speak up for the right of education of every child. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban, and all the terrorists and extremists.
　We realize the importance of light when we see darkness. We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced. In the same way, in Pakistan, we realized the importance of pens and books when we saw the guns.
　The wise saying “The pen is mightier than the sword” was true. The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them. They are afraid of change, afraid of the equality that we will bring into our society.
　Dear sisters and brothers, now it’s time to speak up. We call upon all governments to ensure free compulsory education all over the world for every child. We call upon all the governments to fight against terrorism and violence, to protect children from brutality and harm. We call upon the developed nations to support the expansion of educational opportunities for girls in the developing world. We call upon all the communities to be tolerant, to reject prejudice.
　Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child’s bright future. We must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty, injustice, and ignorance. So let us wage a global struggle against illiteracy, poverty, and terrorism. Let us pick up our books and our pens. They are our most powerful weapons.
　One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first. Thank you.
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