Great Solid Rock College Edges Out Laurel’s Model College in ‘I Beg to Differ’ National Debate

Great Solid Rock College, Lagos, and Laurel’s Model College, Port Harcourt, went head-to-head in a tightly contested Group B encounter on Day Two of the I Beg to Differ Season 9 National Finals.

The two schools debated the motion: “Students Learn Better Without Corporal Punishment,” with Great Solid Rock College arguing for the proposition and Laurel’s Model College opposing it.

Representing Great Solid Rock College, 14-year-old Chief Speaker Obagade Johnson and 16-year-old Anyadiegwu Faith argued that corporal punishment creates fear and takes students’ attention away from learning.

Johnson cited the psychological effects of fear on learning, while Faith maintained that physical punishment may produce temporary obedience without developing genuine understanding, discipline or moral character.

The Lagos team also pointed to alternative disciplinary approaches, including guidance, counselling and structured accountability.

Laurel’s Model College, represented by 15-year-old Eziano Princess Amara and 16-year-old Daniela Kenneth Ohieri, argued that regulated physical discipline can help maintain classroom order and establish consequences for misconduct.

Amara warned that completely removing teachers’ ability to enforce discipline could leave educators vulnerable to intimidation and bullying, while Daniela argued that consequences help students develop self-control and prepare for environments where actions have consequences.

The opposition team also cited the Nigerian legal framework, arguing that it distinguishes between child abuse and lawful, moderate correction.

The judges gave Great Solid Rock College the advantage in their individual scores. 

This left Great Solid Rock College with a judges’ subtotal of 72 points out of 90, while Laurel’s Model College had 65 points.

The public vote, however, told a different story.

Laurel’s Model College won 72 per cent of the live audience vote, leaving Great Solid Rock College with 28 per cent. 

With the audience vote carrying a 10 per cent weighting, Laurel’s Model College earned 7.2 points, compared with 2.8 points for Great Solid Rock College.

After the scores were combined, Great Solid Rock College emerged winner with 74.8 points against Laurel’s Model College’s 72.2 points, securing an important early lead in Group B.

Despite the defeat, Laurel’s Model College remains in contention for the knockout stages, with two more group-stage fixtures to play.