by Roxanne Thompson

• Preliminary rounds begin 21 September
• 18 secondary schools to compete
• 2025 champions SAASS return to defend their title

Grenada Electricity Services Limited (Grenlec) will begin its 2026 debates preliminary rounds on Monday, 21 September, bringing together students from 18 secondary schools for another season of competition and public speaking.

St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) enters this year’s competition as the defending champion, after securing the 2025 title with 343 points in last year’s final. Anglican High School (AHS) placed second with 322 points, while St Joseph’s Convent, St George (SJC) and Presentation Brothers’ College (PBC) shared third place.

The Grenlec Debates allow students to research, develop and present a range of perspectives on issues affecting their communities and the wider world. Students and coaches participated in an orientation and training session on 4 September ahead of the start of the competition.

One of the major changes to the competition in recent years has been the move to an impromptu format. Since the debates returned post-Covid in 2023, students have not had their topics to prepare their arguments ahead of a debate. Instead, they are given a theme and some areas to focus their research. On the day of their debate, teams randomly select the topic they will debate, and students have 30 minutes to prepare before presenting their arguments without the assistance of their coaches.

Prudence Greenidge, Manager of Corporate Communications, said the impromptu format has allowed students to grow in confidence and shine. “The students now own the debates,” Greenidge said, explaining that it is significant that the interpretation of the topic, ideas and words presented are the students’ perspectives.

For the preliminary rounds, scheduled for 21–23 September, the theme is Spicemas, with a Motions Committee having prepared a number of motions to explore various aspects of the theme.

Grenlec’s approach to the debates also places emphasis on how young participants experience the competition and how it helps them develop, particularly as they build their confidence, public-speaking skills and learn to listen to and value differing viewpoints.

The Grenlec Debates will be recorded and packaged for later broadcast. Greenidge said the competition and broadcast are designed to nurture students, encourage research, curiosity and conversation. She pointed to the pressure young people can face in public speaking and applauded the courage of debaters to step forward and have their voices heard.

The preliminary round of the competition will be presented through highlights, while debates from the second round onward will be aired in full. Audiences can follow the debates on television and Grenlec’s YouTube Channel to watch the participation of the 18 schools listed below:

1. Wesley College
2. Grenada Boys’ Secondary School
3. St Joseph’s Convent, Grenville
4. Beacon High School
5. St David’s Catholic Secondary School
6. St Mark’s Secondary School
7. The Anglican High School
8. Presentation Brothers’ College
9. Westmorland Secondary School
10. The St George’s Institute
11. St Joseph’s Convent, St George’s
12. St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School
13. Hillsborough Secondary School
14. Bishop’s College
15. Westerhall Secondary School
16. Grenville Secondary School
17. Mac Donald College
18. Happy Hill Secondary School

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