Organisers hail debate comp

By STEPHANIE BAWO
THE national schools debate competition aims to build confidence and help students think critically to address issues in a more diplomatic manner, an organiser says.
Vani Nades Davis, the innovation and development manager of the Institute of Business Studies said the debate contest should develop students as leaders.
The finals of the national schools debate competition will be held on Friday in Port Moresby.
The four finalists are Port Moresby National High School representing the National Capital District and the southern region, Kokopo Secondary School representing East New Britain and the New Guinea Islands region, Sir Tei Abal Secondary from Enga representing the highlands region, and Busu Secondary School from Lae representing Morobe and the Momase region.
Each school has four participants and two reserves.
The contestants are in the National Capital District for a week, sight-seeing and visiting businesses and tourist attractions in the city before the finals.
Peninnah Hardy-Robertson, a Grade 12 student from Kokopo Secondary School and one of the participants in the finals, said the debate was an opportunity for the students to realise their potential.
She said personally it had brought her out of her shell.
She said before taking part in the competition, she did not pay much attention to issues affecting her and the country.
But she now describes it as a life-changing experience that had enabled her to come forward and speak out on issues.