Debate competition sparks new interest in St Ann, St Mary

Primary-level students in St Ann and St Mary could be heading for a spirited debating showdown come next year, if educators and other stakeholders in both parishes have their way.

This comes following a recent one-off debate between students at the United Learning Centre Preparatory School (ULC) in Bonham Springs, St Ann and from the Exchange All-Age in Exchange, St Ann.

Held on the grounds of ULC, the closely fought contest saw the home team emerging victorious and with a “spellbound” audience requesting for something more expansive where more schools can get involved.

Custos of St Ann, Norma Walters, who was among the panel of judges, said the contest between the two schools was so good that every effort should be made for not only an encore, but for a primary-level debate competition involving St Ann schools and possibly from neighbouring St Mary.

“The success of this preliminary competition bodes well for the excitement and talent that an event next year would showcase,” she noted.

“The debaters from both schools, in displaying maturity and command of the topic, showed us what’s possible and why we shouldn’t spare any effort in making this an annual event featuring more schools.”

Former ULC student, 18-year-old Aryan Lakhwani, who not only spearheaded the matchup between his alma mater and Exchange, said the plan all along was to use the contest as a precursor for bigger things to come.

“The excitingly close battle between the schools only goes to show what’s possible with these kinds of matchups between young minds,” he noted.

Lakhwani, now a student at the American International School of Kingston (AISK), said the idea is to create a platform for students to hone their skills in public speaking and critical thinking, with the aim of boosting their confidence and preparing them for future academic pursuits.

LOVE FOR DEBATES

“My love for debates runs deep … something I have always been interested in. It is against that background why I am organising this annual debating competition for primary students. It is my way of giving back to ULC … my alma mater … and ensuring that students can familiarise themselves with the art of debating,” Lakhwani said.

Lakhwani, who built a library at ULC and who trained the debaters for a week prior to the matchup with Exchange, is also currently the president of the AISK Debating Club.

St Ann’s Bay Mayor Michael Belnavis, for his part, said all the debaters from Exchange All-Age School and ULC showcased exceptional skills and professionalism, making it “a debating clinic of the highest order”.

“It was a riveting and nail-biting contest. Even though Exchange All-Age came up short it was a spirited performance. The performance of the debaters was truly impressive, showcasing both poise and confidence,” he noted.

“I commend them for their dedication and urge them to continue honing their debating skills, even as they progress to higher education.”

ULC Principal Andrea Levy said that debating is done sometimes at the class level in grades four to six by some teachers, noting that, “in 2017, we entered our last debate competition”.

She said she was all for opening a competition involving other primary level schools, noting that “this can only be a win-win” for everybody.

“Past student Aryan Lakhwani must be commended for this initiative and one that has the potential to change lives by way of critical thinking. It’s crucial for youngsters to engage in this passion from early on. I hope that schools will prepare their students to participate in this competition, as it will undoubtedly benefit them in life,” Levy further remarked.

Businessman and educator Robert Panton, from Tower Isle, St Mary, said he would support such a move, noting that he was convinced that schools from the neighbouring parish would be very interested.

“For start, some might even say that ULC closely borders or might even be in St Mary,” he noted. “This would be a welcome move and one that would generate a lot of interest. It is not a difficult thing to organise once the support and will to get it done is there.”

Collin Hall, vice-principal of Exchange All-Age, said, “Not only are we ready for a rematch … we are ready to take on other schools … whether they be from St Ann or from St Mary.”

editorial@gleanerjm.com