Queen’s College win JOF Haynes debating contest

Queen’s College (QC) emerged victorious from a rigorous debate with the Bishops’ High School in the final leg of the JOF Haynes Memorial Inter-Secondary Schools debating competition.

QC proposed the moot The ‘One Laptop Per Family’ programme is a dream come true for Guyanese’ winning 254 points while Bishops’ earned 241 points, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said.

The school scored points for its proposition that the initiative will not only be a dream come true for poor families but will also aid in bridging the communication gap. QC also said that computer knowledge is mandatory and pointed out that literacy has been re-defined with the development of ICT in Guyana.

On the other hand, the opposition called for the project to be rigorously scrutinised since underprivileged persons need jobs rather than equipment.

At the close of the debate, QC’s Jewel Todd was named best speaker/debater during the presentation.

According to GINA, the competition is named in honour of Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence (JOF) Haynes; a brilliant and eminent lawyer who was born on July 18, 1912 in New Amsterdam. In 1942, he completed part two of the Bar Examination, obtaining second-class honours and placed sixth in the world.