Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition Kicks off with Knockoff Round

The knockoff round of the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition begins today, Thursday, January 22, signalling the official start of the national debate season and setting the stage for intense intellectual showdowns among the island’s top secondary schools.

This was stated by Trudy Christian, organizer of the event, who confirmed that the annual competition opens with the first round, where only the highest-scoring teams will advance.

The opening day of debates features six schools engaging the motion:

“Local communities should have veto power over projects that significantly affect their

environment.”

Competing on this topic today are Orion Academy, Isaiah Thomas Secondary School, Wesley High School, St. Mary’s Academy, Convent High School, and Arthur Waldron Seventh-Day Adventist Academy.

Debates continue on Friday, January 23, with three schools tackling the motion:

“The legal driving age in Dominica should be lowered to increase youth independence and national productivity.”

The participating schools on Friday are Castle Bruce Secondary School, St. Martin Secondary School, and Portsmouth Secondary School.

At the conclusion of the knockoff round, the schools with the highest scores will advance to Round Two, where they will meet the reigning champions, Dominica Grammar School. Of the nine schools competing in this opening phase, only seven will progress.

Christian expressed optimism about the level of excitement and public interest surrounding the competition. She encouraged members of the public to attend the debates, which will be held at the Dominica State College Upper Campus beginning at 2:00 p.m., or to tune in online, as proceedings will be live streamed via Emo News and Dominica News Online.

She further thanked the sponsors, including main sponsor Josephine Gabriel & Co. Ltd., for supporting the initiative and for their sustained commitment to encouraging youth participation and meaningful national discourse.