Pom National High wins NCD debate contest

By JASON GIMA WURI
PORT MORESBY Na­tional High School is the new champions of the National Capital District and Central after taking out the Institute of Business Studies School Debate title last Friday.
They beat Gerehu Secondary convincingly in the final, with Port Moresby International School finishing third.
With 24 schools starting the IBS-organised debate last Monday, 12 had already been eliminated through a round of challenges staged through­out the week.
Then it was down to the final six schools after early leaders Badihagwa Secondary, who had been leading the competition followed closely by Sogeri National High School and Mt Diamond Secondary School in the round of 12, were all eli­minated.
IBS innovation mana­ger Vani Davis said the debate was intense heading into the finals as students began to tackle the issues seriously.
“Out of the 24 schools in NCD and Central, the top 12 had already been selected and had gone to the next level of the debate while the bottom 12 bowed out of the competition.
“It’s been a close competition so far with the points so close.
“Marianville Secon­dary came in number 13 and was eliminated by just one point by national champions Kwikila Se­condary, which managed to qualify at number 12,” Davis said.
She said that the top six schools then stood as Kwikila Secondary, To­karara Secondary, Port Moresby International, Gerehu Secondary, Kila­kila Secondary and Port Moresby National High School.
But eventual winners and champions Port Moresby National High never turned back after getting into the semis with well-structured arguments.
They have now qualified for the IBS National Debate Championships in September and will wait for the winners from Enga, Lae and Kokopo.