On December 19, the Presidential Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted the semifinal rounds, final, and awards ceremony of the debate tournament for high school students from the city of Astana.
Throughout the year, students participated in the "Adal Azamat – Adal Enbek" debate platform, competing in parliamentary-style debates. They demonstrated their ability to construct well-structured and convincing arguments, defend their positions, and speak publicly in a logical, coherent, and persuasive manner.
During the semifinals, eight teams competed: "Samuryk" (Gymnasium No. 96), "Youth Parliament" (Secondary School No. 24), "Dostar" (Secondary School No. 103), "Zherdeli" (Zerdeli International School), "Alty Alash" (Gymnasium No. 58), "Damu" (Gymnasium No. 52), "Dilmar" (Gymnasium No. 78), and "Alash" (Binom School, named after A. Baitursynov). These teams researched the current issue of bullying in schools and put forward arguments both for and against administrative liability (fines) for parents of children caught bullying their peers.
The final featured the teams "Damu," "Samuryk," "Zherdeli," and "Alash," with their speakers debating the topic: "Patriotism should be based on universal human values, not nationalism."
After evaluating the logical coherence, systematic clarity, content of the argumentation, literacy, speech culture, and expressiveness, the jury determined that the strongest team was "Damu."
As a result, the team from Gymnasium No. 52, named after Beimbet Maylin, was declared the winner of the debate tournament at the Presidential Center. The second-place team came from Binom School, named after A. Baitursynov, while Zerdeli International School took third place. The team from Gymnasium No. 96 was awarded a finalist diploma. The title of Best Speaker was given to Zarina Taldybaeva, a student from Gymnasium No. 52.
All participants received commemorative gifts.
