Editor’s comment
Share
Editor’s comment
https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/editors-comment-227
But, despite the tiny base from which school debating has to launch itself in Scotland, our record in the world championships is more remarkable than that in many of those other fields: this is the third win and Scottish pupils have been runners-up five times. Although there has been a strong debating tradition in Scottish schools, the infrastructure is not well- supported, as our report this week shows.
The fact that the team had to draw so heavily on pupils from the independent sector should be a warning to state schools. It should also send a signal to politicians that more must be done to reinforce debating in schools: after all, it is something that nurtures the seed corn of their own profession. Talent ought to be encouraged, wherever it manifests itself and especially when that is on the world stage.
Analysing facts and marshalling arguments in public are also skills to which the Scottish Executive should be committed. It is clear from Team Scotland’s success that the pupils’ debating qualities fit perfectly with official policy turning them into successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get: