Pomis wins debate comp

Education

THE Port Moresby International School (Pomis) has won the 2019 EMSTRET school debate competition.
They beat Marianville Secondary in the finals by 20 points.
Pomis scored 503 points while Marianville scored 483 points.
The debate topic was “This house regrets the road and belt initiative”.
Pomis English teacher Joyce Apelis Nindivi said she was pleased with the students’ performance.
“I am pleased to see the advanced research and skills applied by the students,” she said.
“Apart from all the topics debated on, the road and belt initiative was the most interesting because it’s new in the country.
“In any projects there are advantages and disadvantages and the debate that came out today from both schools showed good research skills and concrete evidence of what’s happening and will happen in the future.”
Nindivi said the maturity and diplomatic manner shown in debating such a topic would take them a long way in the future.
Pomis debaters argued on the geopolitical and socio-economic aspect of the topic: Lack of proper consultation with recipient country, destruction to the eco systems, environment degradation, debts and boomerang aid.
Marianville Secondary, who debated against the topic, argued that the Belt and Road Initiative would help eradicate poverty and increase economic growth in the country.
Debate coordinator Rose Gerari said five secondary schools in NCD registered but two pulled out.
“Kilakila Secondary and Gerehu Secondary Schools were also supposed to take part in the debate but pulled out because of school programmes happening during the holiday,” she said.
After an elimination process, Pomis was selected for the grand final after gaining the highest points.
Marianville beat Della Salle Secondary to advance to the final.
The debate topic was “This house believes the government should be fair to landowner’s royalties”.