One of the top CBSE board schools in the nation, SAI International School, recently conducted the 5th SAI Global Debate, showcasing its commitment to helping students develop their critical thinking, communication, and teamwork abilities. More than 300 students from 32 schools around the country participated in this prestigious online debate competition. The event’s intellectual significance was further enhanced by the presence of distinguished guests like Mr. John Snell, Executive Head of Schools, England, and Ms. Rittika Chanda Parruck, MBE, Director of Education at the British Council in India.

Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sahoo, the initiative’s founder, set out to develop a generation of self-assured communicators and globally conscious individuals who are prepared to help create a more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful future for everybody.

The debate featured exceptional performances in a variety of genres, such as Conventional Debate, Turncoat, and Extempore. The junior category’s preliminary round focused on the morality of corporate or governmental internet censorship to counter false information. Students skillfully balanced the need to manage misinformation with the right to free speech, making strong arguments that held the jury’s interest. The final round’s theme was “Virtual reality has had a tremendous impact on education methodologies,” which encouraged students to assess how it could revolutionize learning while tackling issues like dependency on technology.

Even more difficult ethical problems were addressed in the senior division. Participants discussed in their preliminary round whether it is morally acceptable for governments or businesses to conduct extensive digital surveillance. “Do large tech companies hold too much power, posing ethical dilemmas for society?” was the question of the finals, which intensified the conversation. Students here critically analyzed data privacy concerns, monopolies, and the moral obligations of tech behemoths. The format of the event encouraged in-depth research, strong arguments, and intellectual prowess.

All things considered, the 5th SAI Global Debate not only offered a forum for insightful discussion but also emphasized the critical role SAI International School plays in developing future leaders and intellectuals equipped to address today’s pressing global issues.

Priyanka Dutta