The KTJ British Parliamentary Debate 2025

KTJ recently hosted its second annual KTJ British Parliamentary Debate 2025, bringing together debaters from various schools. The tournament, held over Saturday and Sunday, was open to all secondary school and pre-university students, with participants separated into under 15 and over 15 categories to ensure a balanced and competitive experience.

Through the tireless efforts of our organising committee - Amber, Aneesha, Elizabeth, Iman, and Nadia - the event saw an overwhelming turnout, with 44 teams and 17 adjudicators. This tournament welcomed a diverse range of debaters, from eager novices to seasoned competitors, each bringing unique perspectives and arguments to the table. Notably, two of our own KTJ upper sixth students, Hillary and Caroline, had the invaluable experience of serving as trainee judges, broadening their understanding of debate from an adjudicator’s perspective.

The first day of the tournament saw teams passionately debating a variety of motions covering social justice, technology, feminism, and pop culture. The under 15 category was particularly impressive, with young debaters demonstrating knowledge beyond their years, crafting well-structured arguments, and proving their commitment to debate. Many were first-time competitors, yet they displayed remarkable confidence and enthusiasm, setting a promising foundation for their future in debating. Meanwhile, the over 15 teams delivered strong, intellectual, and thought-provoking arguments, challenging each other with brilliant rebuttals and deep analysis. The semifinal rounds featured engaging discussions on animal rights for the under 15s and economic policies for the over 15s, leading to fiercely competitive final rounds focused on education and philosophy, respectively.

On the second day, we were thrilled to welcome spectators, adding an extra layer of excitement and energy to the event. Seeing friends, teachers, and fellow students come out to support the debaters was truly heartening, reinforcing the sense of community and encouragement that makes debating so impactful. Additionally, KTJ teams who participated showcased remarkable dedication and growth. While our teams did not advance to the semi-finals, our under 15 team, in particular, displayed their commitment to debating, and we hope to see them return even stronger in future competitions.

In conclusion, as part of the organising committee, I am beyond grateful for this opportunity of being an integral part of such an event. The purpose of a tournament like this extends beyond competition- it fosters critical thinking and the articulation of ideas with clarity and confidence. This weekend, also allowed me to work on my organisational and synergetic skills, while improving my conversational confidence in my role as the Social Director and Emcee. I look forward to next year's organising committee building on this success and making next year’s tournament event better at KTJ.

- Written by Aneesha, KTJ sixth form student