The Hagita Secondary School debate team is aiming high and looking forward to take part in the IBS National Debate finals which will be held in the New Ireland Province.
They will be up against other participating schools like Marianville, Sogeri National High, Notre Dame, Minj, Busu and the host, Utu Secondary School.
Team Hagita comprises of three females and a male student. They will be accompanied by two of their teacher coaches plus a reserve debater. They are spending time hosting in-house debate competition every Friday night with the interested students in the school to help them prepare for this national titles.
Hagita Secondary is a first time winner to represent Milne Bay Province after dethroning the five time reigning champions, the Cameron Secondary since the inception of the IBS school debate competition in 2009.
Hagita debate team teacher coach Mrs Linda Roa says the team is ready and aiming to give their best regardless of being a first timer in the national titles. She said the debaters are happy and excited that the whole student body, the school staff and their families are behind them with support in every way possible.
Mrs Roa said they will be leaving on the 7th of November, however they are yet to secure some money to purchase a return ticket for the assistant teacher coach plus their uniforms and other spending allowances for their week-long stay in Kavieng. She said that they have written letters to business houses in the province, the office of the governor and open member and are still awaiting positive feedback. A confident Mrs Roa said; "but no matter what, we will still find ways to take us to the national finals."
Hagita will face Minj Secondary in their first match of the competition. Its four debaters are Virginia Samano, Lydia Kibikibi, Dillen Duidi, Joyce Mack and Riggy Karaov as the reserve. Their two teacher coaches will be Mrs Linda Roa and Mrs Louise Tatai.
This year's IBS National Debate title topic is : 'LNG project is a threat to PNG Tourism Industry.' The overall winner of this national title will represent PNG in the Melanesians School Debate Competition.
Pic 1: Hagita debate team with their teacher coach Mrs Linda Roa after defeating Cameron Secondary.