It’s better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it. -Joseph Joubert
Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram hosted its annual inter-school debating competition Outspoken on 28 and 29 September 2024. The event observed enthusiastic participation of students from 11 schools across Delhi NCR.
The students participated in two preliminary rounds – the Conventional Debate and the Turncoat Debate. Further, the top eight schools with the maximum cumulative points advanced to the elimination round. This round consisted of a parliamentary style debate, occurring in three parts – quarters, semis and finals. The debates were presided over by prestigious panels of judges from Pratarka, an educational organisation that trains students in academic and extra-academic curricula. The Conventional Debate was judged by Mr. Aayush Bermola, Mr. Ayush Verma and Ms. Jiya. The Turncoat Debate included Ms. Aliza, Ms. Gauri and Ms. Ananya as judges. Finally, the judges for the Asian Parliamentary Debate were Mr. Prachurjya Phukan (Co-founder, Pratarka Education), Mr. Aayush Bermola, Ms. Aliza, Mr. Abel Koshy, Mr. Ayush Verma, Ms. Jiya, Ms. Ananya, Ms. Gauri, Mr. M Navakanth, Mr. Nitin Singh Rana, Ms. Aneesha Ahuja, Mr. Anmol Sharma.
In the Conventional Debate, students were to present their views on a myriad of issues. They were given two days to prepare, having to prepare for both the stances, for as well as against the motion.
Meanwhile for the Turncoat Debate, the debaters were assigned their topics just three minutes before it began. They were given 2 minutes to speak, and had to switch their stance halfway through.
The two schools that made it to the finals were The Heritage School, Rohini and Bluebells School International. The final deliberation that decided the winners was on the motion ‘This house regrets the social preference for positivity’. As the event came to a close, the judges were felicitated with Adjudication Certificates.
Applause resounded throughout the hall as winners were awarded their trophies, certificates and prizes.
The award for the Best Speaker in Conventional Format was taken by Sri Venkateshwar International School. The Best Speaker in the Turncoat category was won by Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, and the trophy was given to the First Runners Up, Vasant Valley School. Bluebells School International emerged as the overall winner as well as won the Best Speaker in Asian Parliamentary Format.
| Overall Prizes | |
| Position | School |
| First | Bluebells School International |
| Second | The Heritage School, Rohini |
| Third | Sri Venkateshwar International School |
| Best Speakers in Each Category | ||
| Event | School | Name of Speaker |
| Conventional | Sri Venkateshwara International School | Kyra Nanda |
| Turncoat | Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram, Vasant Valley School | Aanya Yaduvanshi, Ashvin Mathew Joseph |
| Asian Parliamentary | Bluebells School International | Preksha Jain |