More than 300 secondary and high school students from 35 schools from all over Spain debated with their arguments in the Final Tournament of the VIII CICAE – UCJC Pre-University Debate League, whether “Should the Government of Spain implement a single EBAU for the entire national territory?“.
For the first time, the opinion of young people was heard, who expressed their arguments for and against in a debate that is in the street and that affects them directly. For two months, the students have been informed, documented and, with critical thinking, prepared their arguments for and against the question posed to them.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Rector of the Camilo José Cela University, Mr. Héctor Mauricio Escamilla, and the President of CICAE, Mr. Gabriel Castellano.
In addition, the final tournament had a very special ambassador, the journalist and presenter of ‘Espejo Público’ Lorena García, who said that “In these times of polarization, words and calm debate must prevail. A good argument well defended and with great impact is worth more than any meaningless circumlocution”.
“I think it’s wonderful that there are initiatives like this.”
Lorena GarcíaIn a world currently dominated by cell phones, he emphasized the importance of debate and communication: “Social relations have changed a lot. Before, we talked, we argued, there was a dialogue ….. Now, with the cell phone, everything has changed. We respond with a brief ‘ok’ in writing and we don’t talk. And it makes me very sad because I believe in the power of the word, in argumentation, in debate… That’s why I think it’s wonderful that there are initiatives like these and that young people like you, who are our future, work on public speaking, learn the real value of arguing,…”.
In the final tournament, which was held over two days, March 8 and 9, a total of 43 teams competed in Spanish and 28 in English. The participants did not know which position they would have to defend until seconds before the debate began, because a few moments before, a draw was held to determine whether their team would debate for or against, so they had to have all positions prepared, with the aim of amplifying their knowledge of the subject and their tolerance of all ideas.
This premise favors their critical thinking and respect for the diversity of ideas and perspectives that may arise on a controversial and topical issue such as the one that was the protagonist of the third and last tournament of the debate.
Regarding the question raised in the debate –“Should the Government of Spain implement a single EBAU for the entire national territory?”-, the teams defending the implementation of a single EBAU argued, among many other arguments, three important points in its favor: feasibility -since there are countries such as Italy or the USA that have a single university entrance exam with excellent results-, the promotion of equality and equity for all students, regardless of the autonomous community in which they study. Opponents warned mainly that not all autonomous communities follow the same curriculum or have the same educational level, therefore, although the current university entrance exam could be improved, each autonomous community should have an EBAU specific to their needs.
Finally, the team ‘Los Novatos’ from the Sek Ciudalcampo school was proclaimed champion in Spanish, after a very close final debate with the team ‘OneQ’, from the Arturo Soria school. While the team ‘La vaca Paca’ from Brains La Moraleja, won in English after a very close final against the team ‘Nuggets’, from Brains Arturo Soria. The titles for best speakers of the tournament went to Lorenzo Auricchio (Nuggets) in the English category and to Héctor Pinar (Los Novatos) in the Spanish category.
