Schools through to next round of debating contest

The High School of Glasgow, Bearsden Academy, Douglas Academy, St Aloysius’ College, Kilsyth Academy and Balfron High School are preparing to debate the pros and cons of paying compensation for historical injustices in the Law Society of Scotland’s national debating tournament.

The opening rounds of the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating Tournament saw 128 teams from 102 Scottish schools putting their powers of persuasion to the test as they debated whether the internet does more harm than good.

Sixty-one teams made it through to the next stage of the competition taking place on January 21 and 26.

Laura Gulliver, Careers and Outreach Manager at the Law Society, said: “We’ve had a great start to this year’s Donald Dewar Debating Tournament and I’m excited to see eight of 14 schools entering for the first time making it through to the next round.

“Debating is a great skill to have which as well as being good fun. Many schools now have debating clubs and they really encourage pupils to learn how to build convincing arguments and give them a voice to express their views and opinions.

“We set the teams a challenge in the opening rounds by asking if the internet is harmful and I look forward to seeing how the teams approach the next motion on compensation for historical injustice.

The semi-finals will be held in March.

The Law Society awards the first prize of £1,000 and the top two teams will share educational books to the value of £500 donated by the event sponsor, Hodder Gibson.

Further information and a Law Society video about the tournament featuring the 2013/14 winners and runners up can be found at www.lawscot.org.uk/debating.