1. The National Schools Debates Competition is a project sponsored by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). The core objectives of the debates competition are to:

  • encourage Grades 9 to 11 learners to examine and talk about scientific issues experienced in their communities, provincially and nationally and how science and technology may or may not resolve these issues;
  • disseminate scientific information to high school learners in a manner that is both fun and interactive in order to stimulate interest; and
  • promote science, engineering and technology-related careers to learners in South Africa so that they are encouraged to pursue careers in these fields.
2. The competition is open to all learners doing Science related subjects in Grades 9 to 11 from all quintile 1, 2, 3 and 4 secondary/high schools who are:

  • interested in developing their scientific research and information literacy skills;
  • critical thinkers; and
  • willing to work as a team to present logical and clear arguments.
3. The SAASTA Schools Debates structure allows debaters to engage with one another and move towards a common resolution. One of the most interesting features is the mini-imbizos where learners get to interact with one another and share ideas through breakaway discussions and by making use of social media.

4. To enter the competition, schools must:

  • identify five learners from Grades 9 to 11 to form a team to represent the school in the debates competition;
  • Identify a mentor (teacher) to train/coach the learners; and
  • send the completed entry form via email to debates@saasta.ac.za (entry form is attached as Annexure 1).
5. The schools that have entered the competition will be invited to participate in the skills transfer workshop conducted by SAASTA on Saturday, 19 May 2018 to:

  • equip learners with communication skills;
  • give them confidence to present their ideas; and
  • stimulate interest amongst learners to study towards careers in the fields of science, engineering and technology (SET) by researching and debating high level topics.
6. Entered teams are expected to deliver a two-minute opening and two-minute closing statement based on the topic that will be given at the provincial workshop on Saturday, 19 May 2018. Training and debates manuals will be provided at this workshop.

7. The top ten schools identified during this training session will then participate in the provincial debates competition on Saturday, 26 May 2018, where the teams will compete against each other. This competition is judged by a panel of provincial adjudicators.

8. For any further information, schools are advised to visit the SAASTA Schools Debates Competition website at www.saasta.ac.za.

9. Deadline for entries is Tuesday, 8 May 2018 at midnight.

10. The school that wins the provincial top ten debates competition will represent the province at the national finals on Friday, 05 October 2018.

11. The imperative is to recognise, harness and encourage talent for science in our schools.

12. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) urges schools to enter ardent Science learners from Grades 9 to 11 for the 2018 National Schools Debates Competition.

13. Principals are kindly requested to bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all relevant staff members.


SIGNED: T SINGH
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2018:04:18

Annexure 1: 2018 SAASTA National Schools Debates entry form  (size: 249 KB)