The group stage of the I Beg To Differ Secondary School Debate – Tournament of Champions has ended after eight days of intense competition among some of Nigeria’s brightest young debaters.
In the final Group D encounter, Fountain School, Jikwoyi, Abuja, presented the proposition on “Homework Improves Academic Performance” after Heritage Group of Schools, Lagos, decided not to participate in today’s debate because they had been unable to secure a win at the group stage.
With Heritage absent, Fountain School presented its case without an opposing team.
The school argued that properly assigned homework reinforces classroom learning, strengthens memory and understanding, develops discipline and independent study habits, and prepares students for examinations and future responsibilities.
It also maintained that concerns over stress, reduced leisure time, cheating and inequality stem largely from poor implementation, arguing that proper supervision and stronger educational support can address those challenges.
Fountain School secured the encounter by walkover and finished top of Group D with nine points, while Square College placed second and Pleioma International School finished third.
The conclusion of the group stage means 12 schools will now advance to the Round of 12, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
The next stage will feature three debates each day, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals alongside one best-performing loser from each day.
The quarterfinals will begin on Wednesday, with the competition continuing through the semifinals and final.
Across eight days, students tackled issues ranging from democracy and morality to poverty, governance and education, testing their ability to argue, rebut and defend their positions under pressure.
The group stage is over. The stakes are higher, and from the Round of 12, every debate could determine who stays and who goes.
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