Debating in Primary School

“Sixth class pupils from a Westmeath school have scooped Ireland’s top prize for school debating after winning the Concern Primary Debates final”……

”They won after successfully proposing the motion that ‘schools are the key to ending world poverty.’”

The perfect way to hear and learn about the experience of Debating in Primary School! What a joy and revelation it was to hear from the All Island of Ireland winners of the Concern Primary School Debates 2024. Debaters Matthew, Charlie and Edward of Emper National School, County Westmeath joined me together with their mentor and School Principal, Kathryn and teacher / parent Sarah for this insightful chat. It’s said that ‘Teamwork makes the dream work’ or as the chief judge said on the night of the final debate: “when you take the team out of teamwork, it’s just work”. It’s clear from the conversation you will hear that this was definitely a ‘team’ and collaborative effort.

Out of 250 primary schools from across the island of Ireland that started the Concern Debates journey, and after winning 8 debates, Emper NS in Co. Westmeath made it through to the National finals which they won.

In this conversation we hear through the experience of the team from Emper NS, about the positives and challenges of debating, and how debating can impact the transition to secondary school and life beyond school. We also get some invaluable tips and practical strategies for managing nerves and building confidence. The team talks us through the process of preparing for the debates step-by-step and assure us that the process is as important, if not more important than the product / outcome. We hear about the many great lessons learned from the perspectives of the students, a parent, the teacher and the school principal and debating team mentor.

Concern debates has been running for 35 years. The Concern Primary Debates are run in conjunction with Education Support Centres across Ireland, it’s run both online and in person and is open to senior primary classes.

How will students benefit?

Students will have the opportunity to:

• ​ Learn to speak in public and in front of their peers
• ​ Develop cognitive and language abilities, as well as skills in research and debating
• ​ Develop critical thinking and communication skills
• ​ Gain a deeper understanding of the global issues affecting millions of people
• ​ Use their voice to raise awareness of SDGs
• ​ Develop empathy to consider other views
• ​ Receive a certificate of participation

You can access free downloadable resources from the Concern Debates website to get your class started. Why not take a look for yourself: https://www.concern.net/schools-and-youth/debates/primary-school

It was inspiring and such a privilege to speak with Matthew, Charlie, Edward, Kathryn and Sarah today, on a bright Sunday morning when they could have been outside or elsewhere. I hope their insights and experience will inspire you to consider looking into debating, in-school or inter-school with your students.

As Kathryn, Sarah, Matthew, Charlie and Edward from Emper NS have shown us, it’s all about the team. Lots of learning and fun experienced along the way too.

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Motions debated along the way:

• ​ Homework should be a thing of the past
• ​ All children in Ireland should have the right to a local playground
• ​ Getting rid of plastic pollution in our oceans is just a dream
• ​ Electric cars are the best way for countries to reduce their emissions
• ​ Sport always brings communities together
• ​ The business sector has the most important role in achieving the SDGs in Ireland

All Island Knockout Round Motion:

• ​ Climate activists must give up eating meat

All Island Quarter Final Motion:

• ​ Young people in Ireland are indifferent to the Global South