A debate competition discussing whether foreign investors should be given citizenship based on major investments made in the Territory will be held on Wednesday, March 23.

The 2015 Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Champions, the Elmore Stoutt High School, will debate the Virgin Islands Youth Parliament on the topic, ‘A foreign investor should be given citizenship based on major investments made in the Territory.’

The competition is a part of the extended activities organised by the Ministry of Education and Culture to celebrate Education Week 2016 which was held under the theme, ‘Including Every Child through Inclusive Education with the subtheme, Education Includes Me.’

 Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Jillian Douglas-Phillip said the core objective of the debate is to involve the youth of the community by examining every side of important and controversial issues with reasoned argument and respectful discourse.

Mrs. Douglas-Phillip said, “What the Ministry of Education and Culture wants to showcase is the enormous effort that the students and young people put forth to succeed in this intellectually exciting activity. They devote a vast number of hours to research, discussion, case writing, and practicing.”

She added, “I am inspired and excited to witness these young people in discourse. I encourage the public to support our young people as I am confident that this debate will not be a disappointment.”

The Elmore Stoutt High School retained their title as the Inter-Secondary Schools Debate champions in March 2015 after defeating the Bregado Flax Educational Centre-Secondary Division during the 2015 Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Finals.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Debates provide a platform where students can lend their voices to important, topical issues through clear articulation and rational defense of an idea.

The Virgin Islands Youth Parliament, which consists of the Territory’s young people between the ages of 15 to 29, was established through the Virgin Islands National Youth Policy, passed in the House of Assembly in February 2015. The Youth Parliament was officially launched in October 2015.

The debate competition will be held in the Breezeway of the Central Administration Complex on Wednesday, March 23 beginning at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, persons should contact the Ministry of Education and Culture at 468-3701 ext. 2151.