Port Kaituma Secondary School was the emerging champion at the 23rd Annual JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition, held recently at the Diamond Secondary School, E.B.D.
The compelling arguments for and against the moot, Homework is essential for student’s success, were made by the proposition team from Diamond Secondary School and Opposition Team from Port Kaituma Secondary School, representing Region One (Barima/Waini).
Both teams were persuasive in their presentations, as the proposing side, comprising Shetal Ragnauth, Ravina Sookra and Bhanu Roop, emphasized the integral role homework plays in a child’s development.
They accomplished this using several points, including homework provides opportunities for the development of life skills, enables parents to become more involved in a child’s education, strengthens the sense of responsibility, and serves as a stepping-stone for future success.
Countering was the opposing team of Kelly Etwaroo, Juliet Bernard and Mark Daniels, who convincingly argued against the moot, pointing out that they were not arguing against homework, but rather denying that it is essential for success.
The members of the opposition, in a tactical manoeuvre, cited several prominent personalities who never completed school but were successful regardless, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Winston Churchill.
Other points put forward against the moot  were  that too much homework may diminish its effectiveness as it takes away from the time spent with family, the quality of homework and not the amount is important, and that there is no way to prove that persons would have been less successful without homework.
After fifteen minutes of deliberations, the three judges, Mrs. Ingrid Fung, Mrs. Lorraine Barker-King and Chief Judge Mrs. Lurine Meertins announced that the team from Port Kaituma Secondary School had won by 22 points, with an overall score of 252 points, as against 230 gained by Diamond Secondary School.
Addressing the students, Mrs.Meertins pointed out that both sides produced compelling arguments and that there was evidence of “much research with convincing presentations”.
“Both sides did a good job; however, one side did better as they presented their arguments in a more convincing manner,” she said.
The Chief Judge encouraged the participants to appeal to logic in future debates as opposed to making personal attacks against opposing teams.
“A debate is about the presentation of facts,” she stressed, adding, “You are all winners.”
The Best Debater title went to Shetal Ragnauth from Diamond Secondary, while Best Speaker was awarded to Kelly Etwaroo from Port Kaituma Secondary.
Last year’s winner of the JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition was the Bishops High School.
The JOF Haynes Memorial Debating Competition is used to celebrate the oratorical expertise of the late JOF Haynes, who in his day, was identified as the most brilliant  and eminent  lawyer of his generation and who started the competition which is in its 23rd year.