Mackenzie High School, Region 10 successfully defended its JOF Haynes Debating champion title for the third time since winning the title in 2009.
The Region 10 high school out-performed Anna Regina Multilateral School, Region Two with 797 points to 779 points in the finals of the JOF Haynes Debating Competition, December 4, 2012 at the National Cultural Centre. This was announced in a Government Information Agency (GINA) release.
The teams debated the moot: ‘A Technical/Vocational Education and Training Programme in Secondary School will significantly enhance Guyana’s economic growth.’ Mackenzie High presented the proposition whilst Anna Regina Multilateral opposed.
The debating competition, in its thirtieth year, is organised by the Secondary Division of the Ministry of Education in celebration of JOF Haynes, the scholar who initiated the competition to encourage development of debating and research skills among secondary school students.
The competition commenced in April with the best debating teams at the class level competing to represent the school at the regional competition. Following this, the winning teams represented the regions at the national level competition which began in September as part of Educational Month Activities.
The schools representing the Regions at the National level were Santa Rosa Secondary, Region 1, Anna Regina Multilateral School, Region 2, West Demerara Secondary, Region 3, Annandale Secondary, Region 4, Bygeval Secondary, Region 5, Berbice High, Region 6, Three-Mile, Region 7, Mahdia Secondary, Region 8, St Ignatius Secondary Region 9, Mackenzie High, Region 10 and Queen’s College represented Georgetown.
Deputy Chief Education Officer-Development, Bibi Ali said the Ministry has sustained the debating competition for 30 years because of the importance of debating and its ability to develop certain skills in the students, including the ability to widen research skills to allow them to become independent learners, critical and innovative thinkers and problem-solvers.
Ali also acknowledged the efforts of the teachers who worked with the students for the debates and the students who participated in the competition. She urged their continued participation.
The winning school was presented with a complete computer set by Metro Office Supplies, which has provided this prize for several years. Trophies were presented to the respective team members for their effort and plaques to the schools. Zimeena Raheed of Anna Regina Multilateral won Best Speaker.
