LAGAWE, IFUGAO- – Cudog National High School (CNHS) has been adjudged as one of the best entries in the just-concluded Gotad ad Ifugao Debate Challenge. This fast-emerging public school is situated at Barangay Cudog in the capital town of Lagawe.
CNHS figured in a tie for third spot with Aguinaldo’s Ubao National High School. Sta. Maria National High School of Alfonso Lista and Gohang National High School of Banaue took the top two places.
The event was unveiled at the Atrium of the provincial capitol building and witnessed by sizeable crowd.
All told, the young contestants showed they were all quite determined to explore the depths of the pros and cons of an issue wrapped in fiery arguments and the incoming weeks folks will remember their contentions with awe and wonder.
For the CNHS debaters just have to overcome such heavy odds as short time preparations and limited resources. Their debaters- Krishna Kate Casilda, Kryzza Ulymayne Limos and Vincent Gabriel Pacson are all grade 10 students. Look. That’s not really so bad, is it? That was really tough.
Coached by Sarah Ann Butic, the team received a bronze medal and the Php 4,500 cash prize.
“This experience to our students is extremely important to them,” Butic told the ZigZag Weekly.
“This easily supplements all efforts to transform the young into productive members of society,” she added.
For educators like Ms. Butic, school head Minerva Dinamling and teacher-in-charge Ulyssis Binalit, hard work is key. As molders of young minds in this part of Ifugao, they are tirelessly working with many others- such as parents, barangay officials and private sector leaders to identify opportunities for strengthening the education sector. Their ultimate goal is to share this information with stakeholders, so they can expand partnerships, so others can contribute to a good cause. They are relying on a range of options at hand. As Butic (also into library and publication overseeing tasks) will tell you, the path to upgrading further the youth’s intellect along with sheer hard work runs through partnership with the private sector.
How big will a debate’s impact be? Debate is a very serious matter.
Few learning institutions in Ifugao get as easy and guaranteed slot in the Gotad Debate Challenge as CNHS. Most schools have been remiss in actively encouraging the conduct of debate when this undertaking is essential to both the community and nation-building. The first line closest! Then one should look farther out.
The only way to encourage critical thinking among the young is to prepare them through debates. Hopefully, Ifugao educators should level up in the manner of selecting and prioritizing themes or topics in topics. Earlier, an FB post pointed to the need to dissect the issue on “commercialization of heirloom rice.” Many are missing the point. There are many other pressing issues: unabated corruption, mounting poverty and the high cost of living, with the spiraling prices of rice as its most visible proof. What could the young leaders be thinking?
An enlightened youth sector translates to a better, vigilant society. Tackling these issues is seen as more timely and highly-productive. For incoming debaters, their future is at stake, their future potential as leaders appear to be sky high.
The debate is certainly the most perfectly prepared event of the festivity. The contestants, guests and observers burst into hearty applauses at the end. Ifugao has plenty of good debaters (as well as coaches who displayed exceptional dedication and coolness), but lack of money to support their talents is the biggest stumbling block. It’s time for those in the officialdom to give the young they’ll treasure forever.
CNHS has 15 teachers and three non-teaching personnel. It is definitely worth a trip to the school to get an impression of its new building of that size and spacious grounds. It looks large for an expansion of its senior high school program. **By Anthony A. Araos
