Commissioner says DebateChamps boosting critical thinking, communication, knowledge

Commissioner says DebateChamps boosting critical thinking, communication, knowledge

The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has commended the maiden Lagos Schools DebateChamps Competition, describing it as a platform that promotes knowledge, critical thinking, and effective communication among students.

According to him, the initiative highlights the importance of intellectual engagement in education, with Commissioner says DebateChamps boosting students’ reasoning, public speaking, and analytical skills across schools in the state.

At the grand finale of the three-day competition, Alli-Balogun said the platform broadened students’ exposure and  encouraged intellectual engagement.

He said it also fostered a healthy competition and strengthened students’ leadership potential.

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Vocie Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that students from 19 junior and senior secondary from the six education districts of Lagos State participated at the competition organised by DebateChamps and Harvard Debate Council (U.S.).

The competition was convened by Miss Bukunmi Babatunde and Miss Halimat Usman.

Alli-Balogun commended the participants for demonstrating exceptional talents, confidence and analytical abilities.

He said that the competition reflected years of nurturing, mentorship and academic excellence across schools.

“The competition has enriched your academic journey, strengthened your confidence, sharpened  your communication skill and prepared you for leadership.

“Keep participating, keep speaking; the future belongs to you,” he said.

Mr Wale Olaoye, Chaperone to Lagos State Model Senior College, Meiran, described the competition as innovative, saying that its impromptu format sharpened students’ creativity and thinking abilities.

“The shift from prepared topics to impromptu debates challenged students to think quickly, build spontaneous arguments and develop skills essential for global competitiveness and academic excellence,” Olaoye said.

He, however, called for greater transparency by publishing scoring criteria and rubrics.

He also advocated stricter enforcement against prohibited materials to sustain fairness, integrity and confidence.

Earlier, Babatunde said the co-conveners were amazed at how easily  the participants adapted to the new debate format.

She also said that the overall performance of the students was remarkable.

“It is evident that there is indeed potential here,” she said.

According to her, the students were given the debate topics  half an hour before the preliminary and the elimination stages.

“The students were confident and enthusiastic.

“They were exposed to the Junior World Schools debate format with the  aim of introducing a system that encourages problem solving and critical thinking.

“The ability of the students to deliver exceptional speeches on topics they were only presented with 30 minutes before the rounds, demonstrates independent thinking and problem-solving skills,” Babatunde said.

VMT NEWS reports that the senior category of the competition was won by Wellspring College, Omole, while Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikeja emerged the first runner-up.

In the junior category, British International School, Victoria Island,  won while Grace High School, Gbagada, finished as the first runner-up.

The panel of judges  identified 20 outstanding speakers –  10 each from the senior and junior categories.

The organisers rewarded them with medals and cash prizes.