Grand Bahama East District team of David Ferguson, Tajahnique Laing and Laquel Bodie captured the 2013 National High School Debate Championship title by defeating the team from the South Andros and Mangrove District by a narrow margin of 1220 to 1215 points.
Prior to the debate, Director of Education, Mr. Lionel Sands addressed the audience stating that he is pleased, that like the National Spelling Bee, this event brings together students from both public and private schools throughout The Bahamas. According to Mr. Sands, it also provides us with the opportunity to see the future leaders of our country and hear their views on topical issues affecting our nation.
The two teams debated the topic, “Be it resolved that the high level of crime is The Bahamas is the direct result of the lack of economic”.
East Grand Bahama, the proposition side, supported the view that high crime and the lack of economic development. First Speaker for the Proposition, David Ferguson of Bishop Michael High School stated that if there was significant economic development in The Bahamas today, then more Bahamians would a better quality of life, citizens would be better trained and fewer young men would be doing the “Bank Shuffle” on the evening news.
Speaker Ferguson also cited Guyana and Jamaica as countries which have been severely impacted by a lack of economic development. Guyana, he revealed has an abundance of mineral wealth but the scarcity of jobs he citizens of those nations have migrated The United States and other countries for economic opportunities.
He also noted that Canada has a well developed economic and hence it is able to retain its citizens.
First Speaker for the Opposition, Monica Johnson refuted the view that development and crime are directly linked stating that Mayaguana is an island where there is little development and development and crime is virtually nonexistent.
She offered that crime results from a combination of factors such as gang violence, over-population, immorality, victimization and criminal opportunities. Monica also expressed that Nassau is more developed than Grand Bahama and the Family Islands but it is where 78 percent of the crime committed in The Bahamas occurs.
The Proposition also supported their position by citing Social Scientist, Michael Sealy’s study which revealed that 403 inmates at Fox Hill Prison who were interviewed indicated that their economic circumstances precipitated their criminality.
Jasmine Moxey, Opposition Second Speaker reiterated her team’s stance that crime is caused by a myriad of factors among them dysfunctional families, increased teen pregnancy, revenge and conflict.
After a nearly hour long battle, it was the East Grand Bahama District which was victorious. Jasmine Moxey, Second Speaker for the Opposition was the best Speaker for the Opposition and Overall Best Speaker for the Debate. David Ferguson won Best Speaker on the Proposition Side.
The students were awarded monetary prizes and Kipling luggage courtesy of Brass and Leather. Managing Director of the Brass and Leather Shops, Mr. Peter Philips stated that his company was pleased to be involved in programme because of the fact that it assists students in their development, both academically and socially.
Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force were present at the debate to garner students’ views and solution relating to the crime problem in The Bahamas.
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Caption: Grand Bahama East District team captured the 2013 National High School Debate Championship title by defeating the team from the South Andros and Mangrove District by the narrowest of margins, 1220 to 1215 points. The moot for the debate was, “Be it resolved that the high level of crime in The Bahamas is a direct result of the lack of economic development”. Pictured l-r are: Mr. Ross Smith, Deputy Director of Education, Curriculum Development and Instruction; Ms Carrol Bennett, Coach; Laquel Bodie, Debater; Ms Evelyn Pinder-Dames, Coach; Tajahnique Laing, Debater; David Ferguson, Debater, Mrs. Veronica Ferguson, David’s Mother and Coach and Mr. Lionel Sands, Director of Education. (Photo by Aletha Cooper).
