Debating contest in English
Debating contest in English
It was a pleasant surprise to read the news on the results of
the 2003 National High School Debating Championship in the
English language that was held from April 11 to April 16 in
Jakarta (The Jakarta Post, April 19 and April 20).
From the finalists of 24 contestants, selected from 32 teams,
representing 19 provinces, eight were selected, including three
from Jakarta, two from Tangerang, and one each from Lampung,
Surakarta and Makassar. The eight winners will further
participate in the 2003 World Debating Championship to be held in
Lima, Peru.
The absence of winners from high schools from any large cities
other than Jakarta revealed the fact that as far as English
skills in city high schools are concerned, the status as
metropolises does not carry with it an accompanying special skill
in the English language. Rather the quality of the English
teachers and the students' ability to study themselves are the
preeminent factors.
The numbers of participants must be applauded as a landmark in
the progress of English instruction and promotion at senior high
schools at the national level.
The only regret felt at reading the reports of the spectacular
debating contest was that the event was not open to spectators.
From the viewpoint of idealism embedded in the concept of
national education and the promotion pertaining to the English
language, visualizing in particular the ideals of future
advancement of international relations or globalization, it is
hard to understand why the general public was not afforded the
opportunity to watch and listen to the interesting debates of our
youngsters on topics of national concern.
Among the topics debated were, reportedly, features dealing
with the current political problems, democracy and human rights.
Surely the fading generations should be interested in teaching
our youngsters at high schools as to what they have to say about
democracy and human rights, both as popular concepts and how they
prevail in practice.
S. SUHAEDI, Jakarta