Bt Debate Comes To New Gaelic School

The 10th BT Gaelic Schools Debate kicks off this year at the recently opened Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 November.  Sixteen teams representing fourteen Secondary Schools throughout Scotland will be participating in this year’s event which is being sponsored for the ninth successive year by BT Scotland who are providing an award of £15,000.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Donald Martin said: “It is very appropriate that, this year, we are able to come to  Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis for the opening rounds as last year’s winners – Dingwall Academy – came from The Highland Region. Once again, we are indebted to BT Scotland for their continuing sponsorship of this popular event.   The Debate attracts much interest from the majority of Secondary Schools in Scotland with Gaelic speaking pupils and for the first time we welcome Lochabar and Ardnamurchan Schools.  The climax of the Debate will again be fought out in Scottish Parliament where the Final round will be held on Thursday 29 November, the night after the semi-final round which takes place in the Conference Centre at Edinburgh City Council Chambers.” 

Brendan Dick, Director of BT Scotland, said: "BT Scotland is pleased to once again support the National Gaelic Schools Debate and encourage young people to speak the language. BT has invested £10m in its Better World campaign which is designed to ensure all young people in the UK get skills and opportunities to improve the way they communicate.  Our goal is to help people use communication to make a better world. The core communication skills of speaking and listening are even more essential in the digital age and there is a need for a renewed emphasis on developing these key life skills in young people.”
 
Councillor Hamish Fraser Chairman of The Highland Council’s Gaelic Committee is delighted that Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis will be hosting the opening rounds of debates.  He said “Debating is an important skill which can be used through life in many different ways and this competition is a great way of encouraging young people to learn and develop their abilities.  Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis is our first designated purpose-built all Gaelic school and although only recently opened it has already become a focal point for Gaelic learning in the Inverness area”.