The school was the champion for six consecutive years; 2004-2009. We lost in 2010.In 2011,with drastic training, we won the title again and this year we maintain the achievement. For a school that has only form 4 and 5 students it is challenging to form a team.Every year is always a start from zero. I have to start afresh every year. In 2004, the first time we went to national level, all three debaters were form 4 students whose experience with debate was almost nil. But they persevered, they trained hard, they prayed hard and they bore my grueling training.I have a very sharp tongue, mind you.
Every year my children always help me with the practice. This year is no different. In the beginning the second daughter and her elder sis helped out. Then she got a job in Shah Alam, leaving the eldest gal who is on leave to be my only helper. But being a debater herself (many years ago!), with her gift of the gab, with her firm background in English language, she was a superb coach to the students.
There's not much help from colleagues. I would say there's NO help at all from some of them. Knowing that this debate competition is a yearly affair and every technical school has to take part, I do not think that they do not know about it. Being young, they should take the opportunity to learn the trade to help them in the future. But, as they are not interested, I couldn't be bothered either. Well, if they expect me to beg them to help, they can go and fly a kite.
