The stage is set for the second round of the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition, as eight schools prepare to face off following a competitive knockout phase that narrowed the field to seven advancing institutions.
The competition officially opened on January 22 and continued on January 23, with students delivering arguments across a range of issues in pursuit of a coveted spot in Round Two. At the conclusion of that phase, seven students emerged with the highest overall scores, earning advancement for their respective schools.
St. Martin Secondary School led the qualifiers, with Shanaiyah John recording the highest individual score of 341 points. Wesley High School followed closely behind after Hephzibah Abenole secured 328 points. Orion Academy advanced through Taya Charles, who scored 320 points, while Convent High School booked its place with Sienna Andrew’s 317 points.
Portsmouth Secondary School progressed with Maliah Ettienne earning 302 points. Castle Bruce Secondary School moved forward after Isaac Roberts scored 299 points, and Isaiah Thomas Secondary School rounded out the qualifiers with Kianna Aaron’s 288 points.
The seven schools will now be joined in Round Two by reigning champions Dominica Grammar School.
On February 25, Wesley High School, proposing, will come up against Portsmouth Secondary School, opposing, on the topic: “Parents, not schools, should be primarily responsible for disciplining students for acts of digital peer-to-peer violence committed outside of school hours.”
Later that same day, Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, also proposing the motion, will face Convent High School as both teams vie for a place in the next round.
Day two, February 26, will shift focus to public health with the topic: “Nutrition education is more effective than food restrictions in preventing NCDs among teenagers.”
St. Martin Secondary School will propose against Orion Academy, while Dominica Grammar School, proposing the motion, will debate Castle Bruce Secondary School.
Organizer Trudy Christian says Round Two promises high-level competition. She noted that the stage has been set and that competitors are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. Christian also expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their continued investment in education, offering special thanks to headline sponsor Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd. and other major sponsors Central Cooperative Credit Union, DOMLEC, ICWI, KFC, Lindo Mart, and Dominica Social Security for their support of the initiative.
Debates will take place on February 25 and 26 at the UWI Global Campus Auditorium, beginning at 2:30 PM each day and will be carried live on Dominica News Online and EmoNews.
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