The XXVI Rev. Dr. Samuel Slater Memorial English Debates Kick Off in Shimla

Shimla, October 27, 2023: Sixteen debating teams have gathered at Bishop Cotton School (BCS), Shimla, for the highly anticipated 26th Annual Slater Debates, commencing from Thursday, October 26th, and running through to Tuesday, October 31st, hosted on the BCS campus.

In his address during the chapel service before the debates, BCS Director Simon Weale emphasized the increasing importance of teaching young people how to “disagree agreeably” and resolve conflicts through the power of argument, rather than resorting to violence. This message holds particular significance in the context of ongoing destructive conflicts in regions such as Gaza, Ukraine, and Armenia.

The Slater Debates are named in honor of the first headmaster, Rev. Dr. Samuel Slater, who led BCS from 1863 to 1885. This prestigious competition consistently draws the best debating schools from across India. Last year, the girls of La Martiniere, Kolkata emerged victorious.

The first debate of the day featured a face-off between Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, and Shri Ram School, Aravali. The motion, “Allow a holistic education model instead of a system based on the student’s choice,” was opposed by our home team and supported by Shri Ram School, Aravali. The lead speaker for the proposition highlighted the importance of personality development and how it fosters a creative spectrum for education. The opposition stressed the significance of a student’s ability to learn, a crucial element that should be integrated into the education system. Both sides presented strong arguments, but the motion was carried in favor of Shri Ram School, Aravali.

Another captivating debate unfolded between The Mallinson School, Srinagar, and Auckland House School for boys, Shimla. The topic, “Ban video games in which players engage in brutal violence in a realistic setting,” led to a compelling exchange of ideas. The proposition raised concerns about violent video games’ impact on students, while the opposition provided factual information asserting that violent games have no real-life violence correlation. The debate was fiercely contested, but ultimately, the motion was lost, showcasing The Mallinson School, Srinagar’s formidable debating skills in the face of a strong challenge from Auckland House School for boys, Shimla.