ISM wins annual inter-school English debate competition

Muscat: Indian School Muscat (ISM) was declared the winners of the Annual Inter-School English debate competition for the Ambassador’s Trophy this year.

The event was organised by Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir under the aegis of the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman on 11 October 2023.

Thirty-two participants from sixteen Indian schools battled it out for the Rolling Trophy which was finally clinched by the ISM team consisting of Calida Simona Machado, who was also adjudged the Best Speaker of the contest, and Justus Sebastian.

Amit Narang, the Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman graced the occasion as the chief guest and felicitated the winners of the competition.

Chairman Dr  Sivakumar Manickam, Educational Cell Member Kiran Asher, ISWK Executive Director Rajendra Ved, Director on the Board Harshendu Shah, Education Advisor Vinoba M.P., Members of the ISWK Management Committee and ISWK Principal Mr. D.N. Rao were among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

In his address, Amit Narang, Ambassador of India, underscored the importance of constructive dialogue in a world being irrevocably shaped by the transformative force of artificial intelligence.

He lauded the new name ‘Mon Avis’ given to the competition, a French expression which means ‘my opinion’.

Vinoba M.P., Senior Principal and Education Advisor declared the results of the competition.

Zaina Fathima of Indian School Salalah was adjudged the second best speaker, while Sienna Shibu of Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir was presented with the consolation prize. The award for the best rebuttal was bagged by Tarnjot Kaur of Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir.

During the debate, the participants put forth convincing arguments to support or oppose the motion ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) will transform the world to a better place to live in’.

The competition was adjudged by Dr. Sandhya Rao Mehta, Associate Professor at Sultan Qaboos University, Dr. Binu James Mathew, Assistant Professor at CBFS, and Dr. John Philips Mathew, Senior English Language Officer at the Ministry of Education.

The Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman thanked D.N. Rao, the Principal, Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir and the organising committee of the school for making the event a tremendous learning experience for the young debaters as it gave them an ideal platform to express their views and enhance their public speaking skills.