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St. Kitts International Academy Debating & Public Speaking Club - 5th March

Dr George Gross

Updated: Sep 29, 2024



We are hugely impressed with the progress made by our SKI Debating & Public Speaking Club.

Our skill focus this week looked at Rebuttal and how to respond to the arguments of an opposing team with active listening, evidence and POIs.

 

With the UK budget just around the corner, our warm up question asked:

'If you were the Prime Minister of St Kitts / in charge of the finance for St Kitts what would be your top priority and why?'

The group gave a fascinating selection including:

Education and building and supporting more libraries;

Healthcare & hospitals;

Recycling; & 

Traffic and Tourism.


We also looked at an unseen of a sea slug now found off the South-West coast of England with global sea temperatures warming. Well done group in their teamwork and analysis here.

Our newsround saw topics raised from the conflict in Gaza and the aid drop from USA planes, and the German patient that had received over 200 doses of the covid vaccine. 

With Treasury plans in the UK to tax business class flights further, in order to free up funds to spend on other things or provide a tax cut. The motion asked:

'Should Business Class Flights be Taxed more?'   

Here the group was split on the motion.  

Those against the motion disliked the attack on business, when it was argued the priority should be helping business grow and thereby generating more for the wider economy. On the opposition side, it was felt that business can afford it, and crucially this could potentially help the environment as business class flights carry a high carbon footprint. 

It was an impressive debate with some very promising rebuttal, POIs and active listening. 

(ii) For our second debate we turned to the motion: 'Should Zoos be banned?'

Here again voting was split. Those in favour of the ban felt that a Zoo space was unnatural for animals, and welfare was a huge problem. There was also a dislike that Zoos exploit animals for profit. 


On the opposition, it was felt that science and research benefited from Zoos and in turn wild animals too. Education was very important along with the opportunity for rehabilitation. In addition, it was argued that many people cannot afford to see these remarkable animals in the wild, so a Zoo is a cost effective way of providing education (the proposition countered this with the example of documentaries). Finally, it was argued that conservation particularly of endangered species saw a vital role for Zoos.  

As an alternative we asked whether Safari parks were an acceptable solution - and this received unanimous support. 


Another great session! Looking forward to next week. 

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