Final Pre-Quarter Rounds Set Quarterfinal Line-up At BCS
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Shimla, 8 May 2025 – The concluding phase of the Pre-Quarter Finals of the prestigious Slater Debates at Bishop Cotton School witnessed high-voltage debating and razor-thin margins as top school teams locked horns on critical contemporary issues.
In Pool A, Auckland House Boys took on St. Stephen’s School on the provocative motion “The next major war will be fought in cyberspace rather than on ground.” Despite strong arguments from both sides, the motion was lost, and the judges sided with the tangible implications of ground warfare, granting St. Stephen’s a narrow victory.
A gripping clash between Vasant Valley and Cathedral and John Connon followed, on the motion “Advocating mental health is becoming a trend rather than addressing real issues.” The motion was defeated as Cathedral’s emphasis on structural reform resonated more with the judges.
The debate between Auckland House Girls and GEMS Dubai on “AI-driven automation, not poverty or illiteracy, is deepening inequality” saw GEMS emerge victorious after the motion was lost, with arguments highlighting how poverty and illiteracy remain foundational challenges.
In the final showdown, St. Thomas met La Martiniere Girls on the motion “Tracking devices are necessary on student ID cards.” Concerns over privacy and student autonomy led to the rejection of the motion, pushing La Martiniere Girls into the next round.
Quarterfinal Line-up:
- BCS Light Blue vs GEMS New Millennium
- BCS Dark Blue vs Cathedral and John Connon
- La Martiniere Girls vs Vivek High School
- St. Stephen’s School vs La Martiniere Boys
The day concluded with a seminar on Cybersecurity and a celebratory dinner at The Orchid Hotel. As anticipation builds, the quarterfinals promise an even greater level of intellectual combat.
