A DEBATE festival at Charles Sturt University yesterday set out to teach Riverina public school students how to argue the case and not the person.
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The event, encompassing workshops and a competition, was organised by teachers from Billabong, Albury, Murray and James Fallon high schools and the NSW Education Department.
Adjudicator Helen Casey said learning to debate was important.
“One of the things that really drew me into adjudicating is I want this generation to not be like our politicians and learn how to argue,” she said.
Fellow adjudicator Bruce Key said all students recognised the importance of being able to speak effectively on their feet.
“The basic thing is the ability to put an argument across logically and effectively,” he said.
Billabong High School year 9 student Sarah Bahr from the winning team said she had learnt a lot in a fun day.
Her team argued against “Childhood is losing it’s magic”.