Debating Matters is a debate competition for high school students in India. Originally, a British schools’ debate programme pioneered by the Institute of Ideas (IOI) UK and running very successfully for the last seven years there, it was very well received by the Indian schools when we launched it here in 2008.
Currently in its fifth year, Debating Matters is run and managed by British Council, supported by the Institute of Ideas , UK (also project concept owners) Shell Companies in India and The Wellcome Trust.
Debating Matters is very different from traditional schools’ debate competitions in India. The emphasis is entirely on content of the argument rather than style and diction. The format aims to engage students in debating the complexities of real world issues, like free speech, clinical trials, role of pluralism and diversity in India.
The role of judges is critical in the competition. We involve high-level professionals from all fields to interrogate and engage in the debates. To prepare for the debates the students refer to topic guides/reference materials. The topic guides, commissioned by the Institute of Ideas from young professionals working in those fields of enquiry, are extremely helpful in the preparation. The guides can be downloaded from our website and are also excellent education resource.
The competition comprises three stages. It is open to students of Class XI and XII of Indian Schools.
The winners of Debating Matters India competition 2009-10 were Delhi Public School Megacity, Kolkata. They competed against Symbiosis society of arts and commerce, Pune who were runners-up at the National Finals.
The winners of Debating Matters India competition 2010-11 were D.A.V Sector – 15 Chandigarh. They competed against Symbiosis Society of Arts and Commerce, Pune .
The winners of Debating Matters India competition 2011-12 were Our Lady Queen of the Missions, Kolkata. They competed against Christ Junior College, Bangalore.
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