PRESS RELEASE
The Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition has crowned a new champion, with the Wesley High School (WHS) delivering a historic performance on April 14 to secure a convincing victory over reigning champions Dominica Grammar School (DGS). This is the first debate championship title Wesley High School has secured since the reintroduction of the competition four years ago.
In a contest that tested critical thinking, confidence, and composure, the Wesley High School rose to the occasion on the moot: “Dominica should amend its Sexual Offences Act to allow limited publication of the identities of accused sexual offenders in the public interest.”
The ladies of Wesley High School, arguing on the opposing side, outperformed their opponents, who were tasked with defending both the proposition and their school’s 2025 debate championship title.
Adding to the celebrations, Niola Alleyne was named Best Speaker, while teammate Hephzibah Ademola secured the Best Rebuttal award. The WHS team also walked away with the grand prize: a trip for four to Saint Lucia valued at $7,000, along with several other gifts and prizes.
For the Wesley duo, the moment was the reward for months of hard work and determination.
Ademola described the win as almost unbelievable, saying, “It felt like a dream come true after weeks of preparation.”
Alleyne, who is in fifth form and preparing to sit her CSEC examinations this year, said the victory was especially meaningful because it came in her final year at the school.
She said she had hoped to leave a lasting mark alongside her teammate, adding that their teamwork and shared commitment helped carry them to the title.
The topic itself proved daunting at first.
Ademola, a 14-year-old third-form student who moved to Dominica from Nigeria just six months ago, said the team initially felt overwhelmed by the complexity and sensitivity of the issue.
However, through regular meetings, revisions, and consistent practice, she notes that they were able to sharpen their arguments and grow in confidence.
Alleyne also said the experience has helped strengthen her public speaking skills and ability to communicate clearly — benefits she believes will stay with her well beyond the competition.
Though they fell short of defending their title, Dominica Grammar School’s finalists said they were proud of their performance and grateful for the experience.
“We had some big shoes to fill, but we really enjoyed it. We had fun, we really tried our best to practice and learn everything. So we are thankful that even if we did not win, we really came up to the finals. So we are really happy about that,” said Micaela Benjamin.
Her teammate, Lydia Charles, said there were nerves heading into the final, but added that the team’s preparation helped them settle and deliver.
Reflecting on the close of the 2026 Inter-Secondary Schools Debating Competition, Organizer Trudy Christian said the overwhelming feeling at the end of this year’s season was one of pride.
DGS second placed
According to Christian, this year’s tournament once again highlighted the steady growth of debating across Dominica, with more students embracing the discipline and raising the standard of competition each year.
“This is the fourth year of the competition, and this is a different school winning the title,” she pointed out. “It has been a different school every year, going away with the championship title. And that speaks volumes to how people are really embracing debating and putting their best foot forward and becoming more and more competitive every year.”
As highlighted by the organizer, this year, 11 of Dominica’s 14 secondary schools participated in the competition — just one fewer than last year, which recorded the highest turnout so far with 12 schools.
“We are just about on par,” she noted, while expressing hope that future editions will see full participation from all 14 secondary schools.
Beyond the competition itself, Christian also underscored the wider developmental value of debate and public speaking, particularly for young people.
She further emphasised a strong case for introducing similar opportunities at the primary school level, arguing that communication and critical thinking skills should begin to be nurtured from an early age.
“DBS Radio does the reading competition, which is a good step. Public speaking can be the next step,” the organizer said.
While noting limited capacity to personally organize a primary-level programme, she said support would gladly be offered to any group willing to take up the initiative.
Christian also used the opportunity to thank this year’s sponsors, whose support helped secure the continuity of the competition and fund the grand prize, which the competition has become known for: a summer trip for the winners.
While grateful for the corporate support received, she stressed that there is still room for broader support from both the private and public sectors.
“We have debates that touch on so many public sector critical issues, and we often see an absence of the public sector in support,” she revealed, further emphasising that sponsorship does not have to be limited to cash contributions, and that businesses and institutions can assist in a variety of ways to strengthen and sustain the competition.
“This is a very worthwhile endeavor,” she said. “This is building capacity, building youth, developing youth.”