St. Ann Prepares for School Debate

A recent one-off debate between students of the United Learning Centre (ULC) Preparatory School and their counterparts at the Exchange All-Age could be the prelude to a more expansive competition in St. Ann, come next year.

The debate, held on the grounds of ULC, was a closely contested one, with the home team (ULC) emerging the winner.

Custos of St. Ann, Norma Walters, and Mayor of St Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, were among the panel of judges
Custos Walters commended the young debaters for their eloquence and analytical skills, expressing optimism for the future of school debating in St Ann.

She emphasised that the success of this preliminary competition bodes well for the excitement and talent that next year’s event is expected to showcase, especially with the added participation of other schools.

“Despite the moot (Does the wearing of school uniform enable effective learning?) being a tricky one, the debaters from both schools displayed remarkable maturity and command of the topic, leaving the judges with a tough decision. I applaud their poise and eloquence and encourage them to keep debating, as it is a valuable skill that will serve them well in the future,” she noted.

Former ULC student, 18-year-old Aryan Lakhwani, who is spearheading the initiative to organise the annual debate competition involving students at the primary level, said the excitingly close battle between his alma mater and Exchange All-Age just goes to show what is possible with these kinds of matchups between young minds.

Mr. Lakhwani, a student at the American International School of Kingston, 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.

“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,” Mr. Lakhwani told JIS News.

Mayor Belnavis, for his part, told JIS News that all the debaters from Exchange All-Age 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 their proficiency in both the English language and the art of debating,” the Mayor said.

“I commend them for their dedication and urge them to continue honing their debating skills even as they progress to higher education,” he added.
Principal of ULC, Andrea Levy, said that debating is done sometimes at the class level in grades four to six by some teachers, noting that “we entered our last debate competition in 2017”.

“We are going to make this competition that is being organised by Aryan Lakhwani an annual event. It’s crucial for youngsters to engage in this passion early. I hope that schools will prepare their students to participate in this competition, as it will undoubtedly benefit them in life,” Ms. Levy said.

Vice-Principal of Exchange All-Age, Collin Hall, said he is looking forward to next year, as mastering “this skill” is not only beneficial for students’ academic growth but also essential for their personal development.

He further asserted that the ability to articulate thoughts effectively and engage in constructive dialogue is a valuable asset in any field or profession.

Mr. Hall said that Mr. Lakhwani’s dedication to fostering a culture of debate among St. Ann’s youth reflects a commitment to empowering the next
generation with valuable communication and critical-thinking skills.

“As the community eagerly anticipates the upcoming debate competition, Mr. Lakhwani’s vision for nurturing young debaters is set to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of St Ann,” he added.

Gabrielle Francis of ULC was adjudged best speaker.