Mount Temple NS hosts lively debate about phones in schools
Should primary school students be allowed to bring their mobile phones to school?
That is a question that has been discussed around many kitchen tables, and it was the focus of an outstanding debate between sixth class pupils from Coosan National School and An Grianán NS, Mount Temple, on Friday afternoon last.
The debate took place in the Mount Temple school and marked the launch of the 2019 National Schools' Debating Competition, which is being organised by Athlone councillor Aengus O'Rourke in association with the RTE All Ireland Drama Festival.
The competition was initiated by Cllr O'Rourke during his term as Mayor of Athlone last year, with St Mary's NS winning the inaugural event in May.
In addition to Mount Temple and Coosan, eight other schools from South Westmeath have entered this year. The others are: Scoil na gCeithre Máistrí, Ballinahown NS, St Oliver Plunkett NS, Ardnagrath NS, St Mary's NS, Tubberclair NS, Ballymore NS, and Streamstown NS.
On Friday, a Coosan NS team of Kayla Dunne (captain), Florence Twamley, Ella-Sophia Malashnyak, and Merisa Kiripati proposed the motion that pupils should be allowed to bring their phones to school.
Opposing the motion was a Mount Temple team of Aine Broderick (captain), Eunice David, Ella Conlon, and Kacey Mulvihill.
Both sides made some compelling points, with Coosan arguing that phones “can enrich learning once they are used mindfully and responsibly”.
Banning the use of phones in schools was, the team argued, “a 1950s response to a 2019 situation”.
The Mount Temple team countered by arguing that phones are addictive, can be a distraction, and might by misused by bullies in schools.
There were also some lighter moments, such as Eunice David's suggestion that the presence of phones could turn lively school playgrounds into “boring places where everyone is reading about where the Kardashians went out to dinner last night.”
Westmeath Independent reporter Adrian Cusack was one of the three judges at Friday's debate, along with Billy Nott of the All Ireland Drama Festival, and former county councillor Tom Allen.
The standard was so high that the judges found it difficult to separate the two teams. Each of the eight speakers was hugely impressive, making their points with clarity and confidence.
While the Coosan pupils should be very proud of their excellent display, it was ultimately the superb Mount Temple team which was chosen to go through to the next round.
The competition will continue in the weeks and months ahead, with the final taking place in during the All Ireland Drama Festival, on Friday, May 10.
Cllr O'Rourke said he was delighted to see ten schools taking part in the competition this year.
“Self confidence, the ability to make a point, ask a question, and engage with people are crucial life skills that will stand to these children through their lives and careers,” he commented.