Govt to set up Madani Debate Academy in residential schools
Fadhlina said the academy would not merely serve as a training space for students participating in the upcoming Prime Minister's Cup Debate Competition, but also as a platform to equip them with the ability to articulate and express their views confidently.
"This academy will focus on training, intellectual empowerment, critical argumentation, and continuous practice to ensure our students have equal access and opportunities to be trained under this envisioned academy.
"This will be our key agenda as we head towards the next debate competition," she said when met by reporters after the final round of the 50th edition of the 2025 Prime Minister's Cup Debate Competition today.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir.
Commenting further, Fadhlina said the academy would enable students to be trained as debaters, while also emphasising the pursuit of knowledge and the importance of discipline.
"This means teaching them how to utilise their intellectual abilities to argue effectively, while most importantly, upholding values of morality and respect, especially when dealing with differing opinions," she said.
The 50th edition of the Prime Minister's Cup Debate Competition 2025 saw
SMA Persekutuan Kajang defend its title in the Bahasa Melayu category, while Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, Putrajaya defeated Sekolah Menengah Sains Muar in the English category.
Winners in both categories took home a cash prize of RM5,000, a trophy, certificates, and an iPad.
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