ESF students excel at HKPTU Debating Competition

中文 (香港)

The Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union (HKPTU) Debating Competition (International Primary Division) held its inaugural event on Friday, 18 November 2016 at ESF Renaissance College (RCHK) Performing Arts Centre (PAC).

The HKPTU currently runs an English-language debating competition in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools with 10 different divisions according to the age level and medium of instruction. There will be over 50 debates taking place in local primary schools this year and following on from the success in local primary schools, HKPTU is expanding the competition to include a new division for international primary schools.

To launch the new division, Year 5 and 6 students from RCHK held a demonstration debate for 300 students and 40 teachers from over 15 international and local primary schools across Hong Kong. The debate was on the motion that “Pokemon Go is a great outdoor activity”. The adjudicators for the debate were Mr. Michael Evershed, former chairperson of Hong Kong School’s Debating and Public Speaking Community and Mr. John Hone, Regional NET Coordinator from the EDB NET Section. Following the debate, attendees had an opportunity to ask questions and find out more information about the competition.

Mrs Belinda Greer, Chief Executive Officer of ESF and Mr. Joe Leung, Chief Curriculum Development Officer (NET) from the Education Bureau, attended the event.

“This contest is an excellent chance to demonstrate the ongoing cooperation between educators in local and international schools in maximising the learning opportunities for students,” Mrs Greers remarked.