Speak Up: The Power of Debating in Schools

Following the successful implementation of the 1st Pancyprian Debate Competition for Gymnasia in the previous school year 2024-2025, the Inspectorate of English organised the 2nd Pancyprian Debate Competition for Gymnasia, further strengthening its commitment to promoting high-quality English language education and the development of essential 21st-century competences. This year's competition (2025-2026) focused on four thought-provoking topics: Online Learning, Should the voting age in Cyprus be lowered to 16?, Should animals be kept in captivity?, and Online Shopping. By debating issues of social relevance from multiple perspectives, students strengthen not only their linguistic competence but also their ability to analyse evidence, formulate well-reasoned arguments and participate in a public discourse, thereby reinforcing the educational rationale and long-term value of this important initiative.

Subject	File	Date
Invitation		03/08/2026
2ος Παγκύπριος Διαγωνισμός Διαλογικών Συζητήσεων στα Αγγλικά		03/07/2026

Results

Nicosia - Lykeio Latsion - 04/05/2026

Prize	School	Teachers	Students
Gold	Gymnasio Makedonitissas	Ms Revekka Shiekkeri, Mr Vassilis Pavlides	Andreas Fanouriou (team leader), Nicholas Mitralexis, Nayia Matsentidou, Styliana Sozou, Marinos Christofi, Sophia Iatrou
Silver	Gymnasio Latsion	Mr Savvas Kissopodas, Ms Elena Iakovou	Panagiota Shioufta (team leader), Theofania Charalambous, Micaella Kastamoula, Anjelika Domic, Erietta Mastichi, Emmanuella Akwo
Bronze	Perifereiako Gymnasio Akakiou	Ms Celia Kyhreotou	Marilia Loizide (team leader), Danae Kyriakou, Edward Hadjiconstanti, Andrea Meli, Anthia Ioannou, Anna Maria Lytra

Lemesos - Pafos - Lykeio Agiou Ioanni - 30/04/2026

Prize	School	Teachers	Students
Gold	Gymnasio Neapoleos	Mr Andros Karayiannis	Fakhri Yekta (team leader), Al Haj Omaya, Diakourtis Andreas, Panagiotou Alexandra ,Perikleous Fotis, Symeou Ekaterini
Silver	Gymnasio Linopetras	Ms Magda Theodosiadou, Ms Carol Zenonos	Artem Varavin (team leader), Candelaria Alexia Millen, Christoforos Andreou, Artemis Papanisiforou, Harry Pisias, Antonis Tosoudis
Bronze	Athinaideio Gymnasio – Katholikis	Ms Teresa Liassidou Constantinou	Kristia Artemis Kokkinofta (team leader), Zacharias Pavlos Boglou, Aristia Palala, Constantinos Papageorgiou, Yvonne Epiphaniou, Marina Ioannou
Bronze	Gymnasio Kalogeropoulou	Ms Sofia Ioannou, Ms Georgia Panayiotou	Katerina Zanti (team leader), Maria Neacsu, Nikolina Papageorgiou, Ariadne Griva, Amelia Katrina Siroule, Nikolas Afamis

Larnaka - Ammochostos - Lykeio Agiou Georgiou - 06/05/2026

Prize	School	Teachers	Students
Gold	Gymnasio Aradippou	Ms Constantina Constantinou, Ms Maria Economidou Panayidou	Katerina Afxentiou (team leader), Nefeli Palate, Vasilis Hadjiyiannis, Ayoube Sone Elone, Andreas Kanellides, George Loizou
Silver	Perifereiako Gymnasio Livadion	Ms Georgia Zachariou Constantinou, Ms Anastasia Tsorli	Alexandros Toumazou (team leader), Michaela Maria Siamani, Atanas Stogianov, Pantelina Ioannou, Valerios Poumpouridis, Sofia Tanasa
Bronze	Gymnasio Drosias	Ms Elena Kalli	Andreana Eliza Michaelides (team leader), Odysseas Dalias, Elektra Kakoulli, Marina Panayiotou, Chrysovalantis Georgiou, Alexandra Andreou
Bronze	Perifereiako Gymnasio Lefkaron	Ms Maria Georgiou	Yiasoumis Kotsonis (team leader), Maria Nefeli Nikolaou, Emily Andreou, Rafaelia Gerolemou, Argyris Mamas, Nour Fourari

Mountain Areas - Apeϊteio Gymnasio Agrou - 07/05/2026

Prize	School	Teachers	Students
Gold	Gymnasio Soleas	Ms Antigoni Tita, Ms Marina Pitta	Andreas Ioannides (team leader), Dora Pieri Sophia Mama, Eleni Miltiadou, Kypriani Georgiadou, Andreas Neophytou
Silver	Scholi Omodous - Gymnasio, Lykeio, Techniki Kai Epangelmatiki Ekpaidefsi Kai Katartisis	Ms Skevi Solomou, Ms Stella Kourieos	Emily Hamoudi (team leader), Evdokia Koutsofta, Iakovos Michail, Frankie James Mackenzie, Damon Meliniotis, Iourii Stoikovits

The competition subjects were:

1. Online Learning
2. Should the voting age in Cyprus be lowered to 16?
3. Should animals be kept in captivity?
4. Online Shopping

School Activities

Subject	File	Date
Gymnasio Linopetras		05/08/2026
Techniki kai Epangelmatiki Scholi Ekpaidefsis kai Katartisis Lemesou 3		05/08/2026
Perifereiako Gymnasio Agias Varvaras		05/08/2026
Gymnasio Drosias		05/08/2026
Perifereiako Gymnasio Xylofagou		05/08/2026
Techniki kai Epangelmatiki Scholi Ekpaidefsis kai Makarios III Lefkosias		05/08/2026

Photos