Regarding Participation

So if you're all geared up and ready to debate, these are our guidelines!


1. Composition of debate team and eligibility of participants

Secondary School level

 Each team will consist of three speakers among which there may be no more than one experienced speaker.

 An “experienced” speaker is one who has participated in at least one national-level debating competition in 2009, such as the Secondary School Debating Championships, MOE Invitational Debating Championships or various institutes’ Invitationals.



Tertiary/University level

 Each team will consist of three speakers.

 There is no restriction on the profile of the speakers in teams.





2. Number of teams allowed

 With the exception of universities, all other institutions will be allowed to send a maximum of one team each.





3. Entry Fees

 Participation in the Policy Debate series is free of charge.

 Teams should note that lunch will not be provided. The debate venues are near a variety of food and beverage outlets which teams may patronize during the lunch breaks.





4. Communication of motions for Preliminary Round

 Motions for the Preliminary Round prepared debates will be sent to the e-mail accounts that teams have used in registering for the Policy Debate Series one week before their scheduled competition date.

 Teams will also be informed of the side of the motion they are to prepare for.

 Teams are requested to send a summary of their Preliminary Round case for compilation by the Organising Committee to nuspa.policystudies@gmail.com by 23 February

 Please indicate clearly in the subject line the motion as well as the side prepared.





5. Arrangements for Preliminary Round

 Coaches, teachers-in-charge, supporters and other members of the audience are not permitted to make any gesture that does not relate to timekeeping for the speaker holding the floor.





6. Arrangements for Impromptu Rounds (Semi Final and Grand Final)

 Teams qualifying for the Impromptu Semi Final and Grand Final rounds will be informed of the motion one hour before the debate begins.

 Each team will be assigned a tournament official who will escort them to preparation rooms or other suitable holding venues where they may prepare for the debates during the hour.

 Teams will be allowed to bring only one dictionary AND one almanac with them into the preparation rooms or holding venues in addition to writing paper and stationery. No other research materials (e.g. books, magazines) are permitted.

 They are to hand over all electronic communication devices (e.g. cell phones, laptops, palm tops) to either their teacher-in-charge (if present) or their assigned tournament official. Any loose papers, notebooks or writing pads taken into the room must be completely blank.

 The only people they will be allowed contact with during this time are tournament officials. They are not permitted to communicate with or receive any help from teachers and debate coaches while preparing their cases for these debates.

 Tournament officials will be present in each preparation room/holding venue to ensure that these rules are complied with. In the event of breach or attempted breach of the above rules, the Organising Committee may choose to immediately disqualify the team in question from the competition.





7. Supporters

 Teams are allowed to bring supporters for all rounds of the Policy Debate Series.

 It would be much appreciated if teachers-in-charge could inform the Organising Committee in advance of the estimated numbers of supporters attending in order to facilitate logistical arrangements.





8. Sudden illness/incapacity of speakers

 In the event of speakers falling ill unexpectedly during the tournament, teams will be NOT be allowed to replace the speaker(s).

 In the event a team is unable to debate, the Organising Committee reserves the right to decide upon a contingency plan, which may include 1) a sudden swing team, or 2) declaring a walkover.

 Speakers who feel unwell at any point during the tournament should notify their teacher-in-charge, coach and the Organising Committee immediately.





9. Results

 Adjudicators’ decisions are final at all rounds. All queries and concerns should be directed to the Organising Committee instead.




Where in doubt regarding any of the above guidelines or otherwise, feel free to contact the Organising Committee at nuspa.policystudies@gmail.com.