ASCOT Primary is once again the winner of the annual Western Union Primary Schools’ Debate Competition.

The school defeated George Headley Primary on June 10 at the fifth staging of the competition held at GraceKennedy’s head office in Kingston.

They also won the competition in 2013 after they knocked Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School out of the finals.

Both teams presented arguments on the moot, ‘Be it resolved that it is the Government’s responsibility to solve Jamaica’s crime problem’. The Ascot Primary team was very strong in its persuasions this year, as the first speaker Selena Fisher set the tone for their argument by stating that, “Our justice system has the responsibility of ensuring that the citizens of Jamaica are protected from crime whether by seeking divine intervention or practical solutions. The buck stops with the group that we have entrusted power to”.

Despite compelling arguments from Ascot Primary, Chenille Lawrence, the best speaker from George Headley Primary, was adamant as she maintained her team’s stance that solving Jamaica’s crime problem should be a collective responsibility and should include all members of society.

She questioned, “What can the Government do when many crimes and criminals are not reported; when sisters protect and provide a haven for their killer gang brothers and when fathers and mothers encourage their children to get involved in scamming?”

Don Wehby, CEO of the GraceKennedy Group, said he was impressed with the presentations by both teams.

“I know that the future of Jamaica is bright with such young and articulate students. The teams were exceptional as they presented arguments on the moot that display how well students can do when they are provided with avenues to help them to develop into well-rounded individuals,” he said.

This year the teams received several prizes including a grand prize of $300,000 for the winning team and $150,000 for the runners-up. The team members and coaches also received gift vouchers, gift baskets and trophies, courtesy of Western Union and Grace Vienna Sausages.

The debate competition is an initiative of the ‘I Promise to Lend Encouragement to Develop Growth in Education’ (I-PLEDGE) programme which was introduced in 2004 by GraceKennedy Money Services through its brand Western Union. The programme is focused on supporting primary education and has three other components — the Western Union National Reading Week, the Western Union Primary School Teachers’ Workshop and the Computerisation Programme.