Gaeilge
The 2026 Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) Junior Debate Forum Cup has been won by Deele College in Raphoe.
Magh Éne in Bundoran took the honours in the Junior Plate competition and Finn Valley College in Stranorlar won the Junior Rose Bowl competition.
Runners-up in the Junior Debate Forum event were Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada (Árainn Mhór island), in the Cup competition, Coláiste na Carraige, in the Plate competition, and St Catherine’s Vocational School (Killybegs), in the Rose Bowl competition.
The Chief Executive’s Cup for the most impressive debater of the day was awarded to Róise Nic Ruaidhrí from Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny.
The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI)-sponsored award for Junior Debate Forum teacher mentor, went to Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada (Árainn Mhór island) teacher Dr Maire Benedict. This award was presented by TUI Assistant General Secretary Joanne Irwin.
The debating event for Donegal ETB’s junior students on Tuesday, 10 November last, saw teams from twelve schools battle it out in the opening quarter-finals. They were the Abbey Vocational School in Donegal Town, Coláiste na Carraige, Crana College in Buncrana, Coláiste Ailigh and Errigal College in Letterkenny, Deele College in Raphoe, Finn Valley College in Stranorlar, Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada on Árainn Mhór Island, Magh Éne College in Bundoran, Moville Community College, Mulroy College in Milford, and St Catherine’s Vocational School in Killybegs.
Students debated for and against a range of motions reflecting the five ethos values of an ETB school: excellence in education, care, equality, community, and respect. The motions included:
- Excellence in Education: Students should have one hour of physical activity during the school day.
- Care: Children need stronger protection from excessive consumption of sugar.
- Equality: In Irish society, the performing arts should receive the same recognition and support as sport.
- Community: AI will make our communities more creative. / Shoppers should choose local businesses over global online retailers.
- Respect: Modern society places too much value on appearance over character.
Donegal ETB’s Ethos Coordinator Eamonn Ryan noted, “Donegal ETB’s Junior Debate Forum offers a unique opportunity for ETB students across the county to come together and respectfully debate issues of national and local concern through the lens of our Core Values. The quality of the debates of these second-year students was superb.”
“It is heartening to see our teenagers thinking critically and expressing themselves confidently and respectfully on issues that matter to them,” he added.
Donegal ETB’s Director of Schools, Dr Martin Gormley, said, “Our Junior Debate Forum event is a great experience for all our students and those who participated in today’s event were well coached and prepared for the debates by their teachers. We were delighted to welcome back some of our retired staff who, along with other ETB staff members, helped to Chair and Adjudicate during the day. I want to thank them for their support today and also the additional students on each of the adjudication panels who ensured participation of the student voice.”
This event for Donegal ETB Junior students complements the ETB’s Senior Debate Forum, which takes place in March each year.
Donegal Education and Training Board manages fifteen of the county’s twenty-seven post-primary schools and is a
trustee partner for eight Community and Comprehensive schools. Over 6,000 students attended Donegal ETB schools in the last academic year.