NDTV school debating contest

In November, Mr. Bryan Powles escorted Grade 12 students Ella Duncan and Mhabeni Bona to Delhi to represent Woodstock in the inaugural NDTV "Bone of Contention" Debates. Both girls competed impressively as a team, reaching the semifinals and ranking Woodstock amongst the top four schools of the sixteen nationwide institutions that participated.

The event was televised as a weekly series nationally throughout India during January, February and March. The girls were seen debating such diverse issues as, "The institution of marriage is no longer relevant to society", "Indians have no Civic sense", "Children's access to technology should be controlled", and "Soap operas are brain damage, not soul food".

Apart from being able to miss school for a few days, shop on the busy city street-corners, and eat food that didn't have "school-quality" stamped over it, the girls were appreciative of the interaction with local schools.

As the only representatives from an international school, they felt a bit uneasy debating a topic on Indian civic sense, fearful that it would stir up antagonistic feelings if not approached carefully. "I accidentally said, 'I AM INDIA!', when what I was trying to say was 'I am Indian.'", laughed Mhabeni. "I can't believe that got aired." Apart from the few bloopers, they held their defense and managed to make it into the fourth round. "The debates grew progressively harder, understandably, as we moved up the levels. However, other schools tended to be rehearsed, which we most definitely were not."

The evenings were spent in various cafés around town, discussing points and recalling the progression of the day's debate. "For Ella and Mhabeni, it was a great exercise in developing self-confidence, public speaking skills, some involvement in modern mass media production, and especially, diplomacy", remarked Mr. Powles, "and I think that it is important for Woodstock to participate in activities (beyond sports) with local schools so that we don't seem aloof."

Perhaps a new chapter is opening at Woodstock with the renewed interest in debating. Although debating hasn't been a major activity for quite some time at the school, debates like the NDTV Bone of Contention can give Woodstock students a greater interest in the country in which they live, help develop their speaking skills, as well as give the school some fresh, positive, and well-deserved publicity.

Surekha Poelman, Grade 12