The Garvey Maceo High School team: From left are Beniel Morgan, Giovanni Dennis and Andrew Blair. - Photo by Angella Chin

Garvey Maceo High School defeated Glenmuir High School by 36 points to take the team to the fourth round of the Berger King National Schools' Debate.

The match was held at the St Gabriel's Anglican Church Hall in May Pen, Clarendon, on Tuesday.

Debating against the moot 'Be it resolved that the five-day school week is too short', Garvey Maceo's all-male team seemed more confident in their deliberations.

No money for longer week

They argued that "too much work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" and that quantity cannot substitute for quality.

They also debated that policy-makers consider the present school week as acceptable and that Government would not be able to finance a longer one.

The Glenmuir team argued that because of a lack of contact sessions between teachers and students meant the latter were not adequately prepared for exams.

This, the team argued, translated into poor results in essential subjects such as English language and mathematics.

A blatant lie

During a heated rebuttal session, Garvey Maceo speaker Giovanni Dennis called part of Glenmuir third speaker's, Sean Osbourne, speech a blatant lie. Glenmuir's Jason Lofters had to later clear up what seemed a misunderstanding.

Clarendon coordinator for the debates, Shirley Willis, announced Garvey Maceo's win, attributing 258 points to them, while Glenmuir earned 222. The Best Speaker was Garvey Maceo's first speaker, Andrew Blair, and the Best Speech was that of his teammate, Giovanni Dennis.