Mauritius Commercial Bank, in partnership with the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre is inviting secondary schools to register for the fourth edition of ‘Deba Klima’, a debate contest. Participants will be invited to present argumentation in Kreol Morisien on various topics related to climate change. The contest consists of confrontations between teams of students in structured debates on positions for or against a given topic, supported by appropriate research. Participating students and educators will benefit from training from Dr François Gemenne, a specialist in environmental geopolitics and migration dynamics.
2. AIMS
•1. Raise awareness among students on the social, economic and environmental challenges faced by various countries, including Mauritius, due to climate change..
•2. Raise awareness among students about the present and future measures, solutions and best practices that could be adopted by the community, businesses, decision makers and scientists to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote sustainable development.
3. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
One team per school may register for the contest. The team should comprise three students of Grades 10, 11 or 12 and one supervising educator. All educators, including those from science or language backgrounds may supervise the students, as long as they are motivated to guide them throughout this inter-school competition.
4. HOW TO PARTIICIPATE
Step 1: Schools register their teams
11 February 2026
The Rector/Supervising Educator of each participating school will have to signify their intention to participate in the contest by completing the following online form. ONE TEAM per school may register for the contest by 11 February 2026.
Step 2: Teams submit their video
18 February 2026
The chosen team from each school needs to record a video (3min 30 to 4min long) which will be used by the Jury Panel to select teams for the debate contest. All THREE students should speak in an UNINTERRUPTED sequence without editing in the video. Teams should choose ONE of the following topics:
1. Viv enn lavi zero gaspiyaz, li posib pou tou dimounn.
Living a zero-waste lifestyle is achievable for everyone.
2. Devlopman irbin bizin fer san afekte okenn abita natirel.
Urban development should never come at the cost of natural habitats.
3. Bann sistem rekiperasion dilo lapli bizin obligatwar dan tou batiman.
Water harvesting systems should be mandatory in all buildings.
4. Bizin interdi fast fashion pou protez nou planet.
Fast fashion should be banned to protect the planet.
Students should present CONVINCING ARGUMENTS EITHER FOR OR AGAINST one topic. The video should be in line with the criteria detailed in the annexed Video Guidelines. Teams failing to submit videos respecting these guidelines will be disqualified.
Step 3:The jury panel assesses the videos submitted
20 February – 2 March 2026
A selection committee will choose the 16 best teams based on the videos using the following criteria:
•Relevance and depth of arguments
•Construction of arguments
•Mastery of the subject
•Eloquence/communication skills
•Respect of time allocated (3 mins 30 sec to 4 mins)
Step 4:Training of educators and students
10 March 2026
The supervising educators and participating students of the selected teams will be invited for training sessions delivered by Dr François Gemenne. The training will aim at providing the teams with information, tools and techniques needed throughout the competition. The 16 teams will also receive a toolkit to steer them through the process.
Step 5:Debates are on
31 March – 09 June 2026
Two teams will debate for and against a motion which will be determined before each round. Both the proposing and opposing teams will present the debate as follows:
•Topic introduction and development of arguments (Maximum 5 minutes)
•Consultation among team members (maximum 2 minutes)
•Presentation of refuting arguments (maximum 5 minutes)
•Conclusion (maximum 3 minutes)
A Jury Panel will assess the teams using the following criteria:
•Organisation, prioritisation and clarity of arguments
•Content, reasoning and evidence
•Cross examination and refutation
•Expression and presentation style
•Teamwork and adherence to guidelines
The knockout rounds will be as follows:
5. PRIZES
The Prize Giving Ceremony will be held on 09 June 2026. The prizes are as follows:
Student Prizes | |
Winner | An eco-discovery trip to Rodrigues + savings voucher worth Rs 30,000 per student |
Runner Up | Prize worth Rs 15,000 per student |
Semi finalist | Prize worth Rs 8,000 per student |
Supervising Teacher Prizes | |
Winner | An eco-discovery trip to Rodrigues + savings voucher worth Rs 6,000 |
Runner Up | Prize worth Rs 4,000 |
Semi-finalists | Prize worth Rs 3,000 |
All participants who reach the Round of 16 will win an Eco-Tour at Ebony Forest Nature Reserve.
6. MILESTONES
7. RULES AND REGULATIONS
Each school should register only one Team which should consist of three students only, working under the supervision of one educator.
•Students represent their respective schools and are not allowed to participate as individuals.
•The students who registered must be those present until the final stages of the competition unless force majeure.
• All debates will be in Kreol Morisien.
•Videos for the selection process should not exceed 4 minutes. Teams which fail to submit their video by 18 February 2026 will be disqualified.
•Participants who do not respect the time allocated during the debates will be penalised.
•Allocation of themes and motions to be debated by each team will be done through a lucky draw.
•By participating in the debate contest, students and their responsible parties, Educators and Rectors give permission to the organising committee to use their names, the school names as well as photographs and videos where they are featured and which will have been shot to promote or communicate on the debate contest. Participants release MCB and RGSC from any claims, liabilities and/or damages arising directly or indirectly out of their participation in the contest.
•Disrespect, use of foul language and aggressive tones will not be permitted at any time and may lead to disqualification.
•The decision of the Jury is final.
8. ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE
Director
Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre,
Old Moka Road, Bell Village
Tel: 2132773, Fax: 2132726
Email: education@rgsctf.org Website: rgsc.govmu.org
