KUCHING: An English and Bahasa Melayu debate challenge is expected to be held from Nov 6 to 8 to enhance the standard of proficiency in both languages.
Organised by the Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak, over 200 students from more than 40 secondary schools and institutions of higher learning in Sarawak will be participating.
Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn highlighted that apart from promoting debate and critical thinking skills, it serves as a platform to encourage intellectual discourse among students.
“The title of the debate is Premier Sarawak’s English and Bahasa Melayu Debate Challenge for Secondary School and Institutions of Higher Learning (HIC) Sarawak 2023.
“This debate will create a space and opportunity for students to build their self-confidence to speak in front of an audience through public speaking.
“Hopefully, through this platform, we will eventually have students who will become citizens of true intellect in our state.”
Sagah said this at a press conference for the upcoming competition at the Land Custody and Development Authority tower here today (Nov 2).
“The themes and topics are not specific and in fact, we want the students to be able to debate on serious topics such as global issues like climate change, national issues and even Sarawak’s initiatives.
“As the matter of fact, Bahasa Melayu is still our national language and should be held in equal importance.
“However, English is important to master as we move forward as a nation.”
For the Bahasa Melayu debate, 16 secondary schools from Kuching, Serian, Sri Aman, Sarikei, Sibu, Dalat, Bintulu, Miri and Limbang will be participating, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals to be held on Nov 6 and 7, while the finals will be held on Nov 8 at the Borneo Cultures Museum.
For the English debate, it consists of two categories: Category A involving 18 secondary schools, including SMK Agama Tun Ahmad Zaidi, SMK Batu Lintang, SMK Bintulu, SMK Green Road, SMK Siburan and SMK St Joseph, while Category B will involve eight institutions of higher learning and Form Six students, including from Curtin University Malaysia, UiTM, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and six secondary schools, namely SMK Bintulu, SMK Kubong, SMK Wira Penrissen, SMK Pusa, SMK Kota Samarahan and SMK Muara Tuang.
The preliminary rounds, quarter-finals and semi-finals were held in September at UiTM Samarahan Campus, while the finals will be held on Nov 8 at the Borneo Cultures Museum.
