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Debating Skills On Show

The All-India Interschool Debate Stage I conducted for the Indian Secondary Certificate Examination (CISCE) in memory of its founder chairman, Mr Frank Anthony, was hosted by St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Bangalore on the 14 th of July, 2025. Fourteen prestigious schools participated in this competition. The event began with a brief introduction of the life and work of Mr Frank Anthony followed by the introduction of the three eminent judges - Mr Ian Faria, a mind coach and leadership trainer; Dr Bryan Nobbay, a dermatologist and avid fan of literary activities; and Ms Sheefa Mathews, our highly skilled English teacher and writer.

The auditorium echoed with twenty-eight eloquent speeches for a duration of three hours, each justifying their views for and against the topic: “AI can be a tool, but not a mode of education.” The thought-provoking rebuttals opened doors to criticism, quick-wit and feasibility of the stance taken.

Though all the speeches were praise-worthy, only the very best made it to Stage II. Bethany High School secured the Winning Team Award while Akshara S Rao of Little Flower Public School bagged the Best Speaker Award and Haripriya T N from Cluny Convent High School won the 1 st Runner-up Speaker award. The dedication and effort of the staff and students involved in organizing the competition was manifested in the resounding success of the event.

Victor Manoj G S
12 A