The Father George Hess Memorial Literary Competition, which is the ASISC Zonal Debate Competition 2024 was held on 3rd May, 2024 ,Friday,at The BSS School (Zone E). The Reporting time for the participants was 8.15 a.m. All participants had to come in formal attire and there was no visible identification mark of their school. The participants collected their Participation cerificates from the Registration desk and the order of speaking was sent by the association.

Eminent dignitaries who graced the occasion from the ASISC were:

● Dr. MP Rozario, the President of ASISC and the Principal of St. Sebastian School . He was felicitated by the Additional Secretary of The BSS School, Mrs. Dipti Khaitan.

● Mrs. Mousumi Saha , the Assistant Secretary of ASISC and the Principal of National English School, Baguiati. She was felicitated by the Dean of Academics of The BSS School, Mrs Shanta Krishnan.

● Mrs. Sonia Gidla, Governing Body Member of the ASISC and the Principal of Douglas Memorial Higher Secondary School, Barrackpore . She was felicitated by the Vice Principal of The BSS School, Mrs. Sudeshna Banerjee.

● Mrs. Ahana Bhattacharya , the Regional Coordinator for all literary events of ASISC. She was felicitated by the Principal and the Vice Principal of The BSS School, Ms. Sunita Sen and Mrs Sudeshna Banerjee.

The esteemed panel of judges who shared their words of wisdom and enriched the event are:

● Mr. Lawrence W. Hartnett ,former Principal and Acting Administrator of The Assembly of God Church Schools , Principal and CEO, Kindergarten Starters, Dubai. He was felicitated by the Principal of The BSS School, Ms. Sunita Sen.

● Prof Shabina Nishat Omar , Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Directorate of Public Instruction, Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal. She felicitated by the Vice Principal of The BSS School, Mrs. Sudeshna Banerjee.

● Ms. Swati Gautam, Trustee of the Calcutta Debating Circle, Founder of India’s only brand of fitted undergarments for women. She was felicitated by the Headmistress of The BSS School, Mrs. Samita Pincha.

The moderator for this prestigious war of words was Mrs. Hilda Peacock, the Academic Consultant of The BSS School, Former Principal of La Martiniere for Girls’, Kolkata, former Director at GEMS Akademia International School and currently working with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, Delhi.She was felicitated by the Dean of Academics of the BSS School, Mrs.Shanta Krishnan.

The President of the ASISC, Dr. MP Rozario declared the event open and announced the motion for the debate which was:-

“It is ethical to use technology to manipulate human behaviour.”

17 schools participated in the debate; 2 participants from each team, one speaking for the motion and the other speaking against the motion. Each speaker was given 4 minutes to speak. At the end of the third minute, a warning bell was rung. The final bell sounded at the end of the fourth minute. A lively rebuttal for 2 minutes followed each speech.

After 4 hours of the vigorous and lively debate, the results were declared by the Principal of The BSS School. The results were:

1. The BSS School standing tall with the first position

2. Garden High School coming second

3. Modern High School for Girls bagged the third position.

Certificated and medals were given to the winners.

Lunch was served to all teachers and students of the participating schools and others involved in the event.