St Xaviers SNS (right) debates winners and St Kevin’s Girls School (left) are the runners up in the Dublin Concern Primary Debates Final Photo: Claire Marshall/ Concern Worldwide.

Primary school debates

Debating is a great way of airing different points of view. Last year, over 400 primary schools were involved in debates nationwide.

Debates training

If you are a primary school teacher who would like your school to take part, please contact your local education centre first as they handle as registrations and will advise if your school has secured a place.

Concern does not register schools directly to the programme - only your participating local education centre can advise you if you have secured a place.

If you have already secured a place with your centre, please fill in the below form to receive your debating pack from Concern.

*Registering with Concern does not guarantee a place for your school. Please contact your local education centre first to register.

If you have any questions, please contact us below and a Concern member of staff will be in touch with further information.

Introductory video

Watch the video below for a quick introduction to the Primary School Debates and see all the benefits it has to offer students.

Dublin Concern primary Debates Winners St Francis Xavier, Coolmine, Dublin 15. Photo: Claire Marshall/ Concern Worldwide.

Concern primary Debates Winners St Francis Xavier, Coolmine. Photo: Claire Marshall.

St Kevin’s Girls School are the runners up in the Dublin Concern Primary Debates Final Photo: Claire Marshall/ Concern Worldwide.

Motions for 2019 / 2020

Below are the motions for the 2019 / 2020 academic year, which should give you a taste of the wide variety of topics our debates cover.

Homework is a waste of time for primary school students
Primary school students should be banned from using a mobile phone
World hunger will be eliminated by 2030
Young people should be allowed to vote at 16
We are not doing enough to end food waste
Young people of Ireland care little for the developing world
Social media is a force for good in the world

Video training

Unsure how to get your team started and what adjudicators will be looking for? Use our handy training video in conjunction with the marking sheet to help students understand the rules and regulations while also learning how to form a speech.