JEDDAH, 19 February 2007 — The Pakistan International School, Aziziyah, won the interschool debate contest by securing the highest points for the overall team trophy.
The PISJ hosted the event to encourage students to develop their debating and oratory skills. Consul General of Pakistan Masood Akhtar was the chief guest.
The topic “Sweet Are the Fruits of Adversity” drew heated debate with contestants speaking in favor and against it with cogent arguments.
Individual prizes were also awarded to the top three speakers.
Hamza Hassan of the PISJ got the first prize followed by Saffi-ur-Rehman of PIS Riyadh. Zaid Tahir of PISR and Umar Akram Bajwa of PIS Taif shared the third prize.
In addition to the host school team, contestants from Al-Eyman International School Makkah, Al-Waha International School Jeddah, PIS Alkhobar, PIS Al-Taif, PIS Riyadh, Turkish International School, Jeddah, and Al-Nujoom International School, Jeddah, took part.
Every speaker was given 4 to 5 minutes for the presentation. The quality of the debate received appreciation from the judges. The contestants speaking for and against the topic presented their arguments with dexterity. School Principal retired Wing Commander Muhammad Siddique said: “We have taken the initiative of holding interschool programs in the Kingdom. We hope they will create a new atmosphere of understanding and cooperation among the educational institutions here.”
The consul general appreciated the holding of such a wonderful program and awarded the winners with trophies and certificates. Wasim Shahid conducted the program.
Earlier, the girls section of the PISJ also held a similar debate contest presided over by Shireen Masood, wife of the consul general. Aamena Shami and Qurratul Ain, president and vice president of the English Literary Society, began the contest.
Aya Marwan of Al-Waha International School, Jeddah; Abeer Hafiz of PISJ andMarve Yorulmaz of Turkish International School, Jeddah, got the first, second and third positions speaking in favor of the topic.
Sundas Ansari of Manarat International School, Jeddah; Fatema Khan of PISJ and Sarah Khalid of PIS Taif secured the first, second and third positions speaking against the topic. The team trophy was awarded to Manarat International School.