Students to represent PNG in world school debate

By LOUISAH FRANK
Five secondary students will represent Papua New Guinea and the Pacific in the World School Debate Championship in Croatia next week.
Christopher Nakue from Don Bosco Technical School, Sabina Buskens from Kopkop College, Michael Sarevelahr from Gerehu Secondary School, Vibhu Guru from Port Moresby International School and John Raka were selected from the National School Debate in Port Moresby earlier this year.
They will compete with more than 60 other counties in the championship.
Co-coach Mary Handen said she was confident the team was ready with a lot of preparations during the two-week school holidays.
She said the students had tremendous support including from former debaters Dagia Mai Aka, Renee Siaguru and Oliver Nobertau.
The students were in camp over the holidays to bond.
Fifteen-year-old Guru told The National that she had learnt a great deal from her team mates were looking forward to Croatia.
“We are going there not only to represent the country and the Pacific, but also to acquire knowledge from the world stage,” 19-year-old Raka said.
The world championship is from July 17-26 with the PNG team’s journey to Croatia starting tomorrow.
Debates facilitator Vani Nades said youths had the talent and potential to make a difference in society.
“I’m is looking forward to being a part of the process to observe how things are done there (Croatia),” she said.