KUCHING: Debate tournaments remain an integral part to the growth of younger generations as participating in them develops character and adds confidence to school students.
In the 18th Swinburne Sarawak Inter- School Debating Championship (SSIDC) 2023 held at the Swinburne Sarawak University here today, 192 students took part in the debate tournament.
New Sarawak Tribune interviewed some of the students to get their insights regarding the 18th SSIDC English debate tournament.
RACHEL CHAI, 16
St Joseph’s Private School
“I have been joining the tournament since I was 13 and this is my fourth year taking part in SSIDC. I think debate offers a lot of things that other activities can’t. It teaches you critical thinking, it teaches you how to work as a team, and confidence to speak in public.
I’ve bonded with a lot of other great debaters either from school or my teammate, Daphne.”
COLIN BETI, 16
Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang
“It is my first time (debating), in fact my first exposure (to debate) was two weeks ago. I would recommend more friends to join the debate next year and I love that it allows opportunities for schools across Sarawak to participate.”
DAVID YEO, 18
St Joseph’s Private International School
“I am taking part as an adjudicate in the tournament, which has opened up a lot of new things for me, not just in terms of personality wise or principle wise but also socially and the people that I know. SSIDC is honestly not just the best starting point for anyone but it’s probably where people began to be people.”
ISAAC POH, 18
SMK Batu Lintang
“I enjoy debating, especially debating physically. I like the social aspect of it because it kind of balances the brain-toast thing of debating, which is why I do recommend debating to people. As for my experience, I did debate in 2020, but then it went online so I quit, it was memorable because it was a spur of the moment thing.”
CARYS LIM, 16
SMK Green Road
“The debating experience has been so fun and I would definitely recommend debating, I learned a lot, and I met a lot of new friends. It was the adrenaline feel that was the highlight of the event.”
