12-05-2025
The Inter-House Debate Competition 2025-2026 held at Indian School Sohar on May 6th was a remarkable showcase of free speech, critical thinking, and eloquence among student participants. The event provided a well-structured platform for young debaters to engage in intellectual discourse on the compelling topic, "Human Intelligence Always Surpasses Artificial Intelligence." This engaging theme inspired a dynamic exchange of ideas, fostering an environment of critical analysis and public speaking development.
Representing the four houses—Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow—teams displayed remarkable enthusiasm and passion, highlighting their persuasive debating skills. The adjudicating panel, comprised of Ms. Trinette Fernandes, Ms. Muzarat Begum, and Ms. Zainab Siddiqui, brought their expertise to evaluate the participants based on various criteria including argument strength, clarity, and overall presentation.
The Head of English Department, Mrs. Divya Johari, introduced the judges and aptly highlighted that the debate competition functioned as an invaluable extended learning activity, allowing students to engage with contemporary issues in a meaningful way and served as a powerful platform for students to articulate their thoughts effectively and enhance their intellectual capabilities.
Throughout the competition, participants demonstrated a profound understanding of the resolution, skillfully supporting their arguments with well-researched evidence. The atmosphere was charged with a spirited exchange of ideas, as students engaged in a true gladiatorial combat of intellect. Their confident presentations, complemented by effective body language and consistent citations of authoritative sources, lent depth and credibility to their arguments, making for a truly compelling debate experience.
The culmination of the event saw Blue House, consisting of Agnes Liza Emmanuel and Zara Zabil, emerge as the winners of the competition, followed closely by Yellow House (Arshad Saleem Basha and Tanmaya Kumavat) in second place. Red (Tejus Surepally and Syed Taha Hassan) and Green (Ann Maria Sajan and Abhinav Jithesh) Houses rounded out the competition, finishing in third and fourth places respectively. Their success was attributed to their strong defensive stance, unwavering commitment to their arguments, and exceptional articulation of arguments. Tejus Sureppally was awarded the title of First Runner-Up, while Tanmaya Kumawat was recognized as the Second Runner-Up. Additionally, the panel chose Agnes Liza Emmanuel as the Best Speaker and awarded her for the Best Rebuttal, highlighting her exceptional ability to counter opposing arguments effectively.
The adjudicators praised not only the debating prowess displayed but also the exemplary sportsmanship and spirit exhibited by all participants. They expressed admiration for the students’ dedicated preparation, particularly given the limited timeframe available.
Following the conclusion of the competition, Principal Mrs. Sanchita Verma conveyed her heartfelt congratulations to the winners. She commended their compelling arguments and polished presentation skills, emphasizing the significance of debate as a vital skill in student life and highlighted how participation in such events enhances communication abilities and builds confidence, encouraging greater student involvement in future intellectually stimulating activities.
In conclusion, the Inter-House Debate Competition was not just an event; it was an enriching experience that allowed students to explore their intellectual capabilities, develop vital communication skills, and foster a spirit of healthy competition. The Indian School Sohar looks forward to hosting more such events that promote critical thinking and facilitate engaging discussions among students.
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