FOR the past few years, the Education Ministry has organised the Tan Sri Datuk Wira Abdul Rahman Arshad Trophy English Language Debate Competition (parliamentary style), involving Form 4 and Form 5 students, in such a way that the state-level championship is held in June and the national championship in July.

This year, most of the states had held their competitions by June and the participants were expecting the finals to be over by July.

There were many postponements and now they are being told that the finals will be held next month, which is close to the Sijil Pelajaran Malay-sia examination.

This is causing anxiety among Form 5 students like my nephew. His parents are against his participation but they are afraid of saying that they don't want him to take part, fearing that he may be punished.

The principals of participating schools from different states may be reluctant to withdraw their teams, fearing that their schools may be black-listed.
I suggest that the ministry call off the finals this year, or postpone them till after the examination.