Pictures: Kilkenny students take on neighbouring counties in debating event

Students from Kilkenny and neighbouring counties battled it out in the Primary School Debating Competition at Kilkenny Education Centre recently. 

The motions ranged from ‘School uniforms should be a thing of the past’ to ‘If we really care about climate change, we should all fly less’. READ MORE BELOW

More than 20 primary schools took part in the competition across Kilkenny, South Carlow and East Tipperary. Presentation Convent NS Castlecomer were worthy finalists; their team was awarded second place. St Joseph’s NS, Clinstown and St Leonard’s NS Dunnamaggin were awarded joint third place.

The overall winner of the Competition in the Kilkenny Education Centre catchment area this year, 2022-23, was Scoil Bhaile Nua Dún Leicne, Newtown, Carlow, who now progress to the national stages of the competition.

During the 2015-16 academic year, Concern Worldwide joined with participating Education Centres throughout Ireland to facilitate Primary Debating. The Concern Primary Debating Competition was set up to encourage awareness of global issues through debates about serious world topics, and to improve the level of debating skills amongst young people.

The competition is aimed at senior classes in primary schools — fourth, fifth and sixth classes. Participating schools compete against other schools on a knock-out basis, culminating with a local winner.

“Concern works with table communities. The importance of education is a key theme of the work of Concern,” says John O’Sullivan, Director Kilkenny Education Centre.

“The value of debating for young people has been well researched. It encourages young people to analyse, to make sense of complex subjects. It also shows young people how to disagree with someone in a respectful and a polite way. Debating improves academic performance, research skills, the ability to prioritise. And to create evidence-based arguments; all very important skills in the modern world.”

The centre is fortunate that a retired teacher/principal has agreed to act in a support capacity to schools. They wish to sincerely thank Eilís Costelloe for co-ordinating the competition in the catchment area.

Kilkenny Education Centre is very grateful to Eilís, the adjudicators, participating schools, teachers, parents/guardians, students and Concern. The Centre Director, John O’Sullivan, singled out one member of the Education Centre staff for her dedication and commitment.

“Honorah Rochford is key to the successful running of the Kilkenny Concern Debates each year, she is an exceptional organiser and carries out her work with extraordinary professionalism,” he said.

To find out more about the Concern and Kilkenny Education Centre Primary School Debating Competition visit: eckilkenny.ie and concern.net.