Young Parliamentarians is a programme that gives teenagers in Year 9, 10 and 11 of secondary school the opportunity to debate in a nationwide competition. With the theme #ejjewniddibattitu (let’s debate), students are encouraged to learn how to debate and speak to other people in a ‘Parliamentary’ sort of way.
Prior to the actual event, the group of students chosen to represent their school are taught about Public Speaking, Debating and tips about how to be confident whenever they’re speaking. Then each School was given 4 topics, 2 of which were in favour, and 2 which we had to debate against. After weeks of preparation, with help from multiple people, including teachers, George and their team finished the notes they were using to base their arguments off of during the debate.
Once the day arrived, they were seated in a ‘Parliament of Malta’ sort of way, in which schools were put against each other. After a short speech by the hosts, the two schools competing in a particular topic had to state their names and whether they were on the Favur (in Favour) or Kontra (Against) the said subject. Then schools were given some time to lay out their proposals and argue, with each school being given 3 slots in total. Judges from different fields were both moderating the event and seeing the quality of the debating.
George’s school didn’t place in the top 3 and did not manage to pass to the finals, however the school in general was proud of the Performance given by George and the rest of their team.
