Having something to say: Annual Debate

February 18^th saw the fifth annual Education Debate hosted by the Brisbane Metropolitan Group of The Australian College of Educators.

This event is held at The Customs House each year and invites interested educators to engage with each other as they grapple with hot topical education issues. This year's argument was 'That Queensland Teachers Have Lost Control'.

No Queensland Debating Union rules here, the speakers presented considered commentaries on teaching in Queensland, historically and to the present day. Each spoke for 8 minutes, acknowledging alternative opinions with a mixture of good humoured irreverence and grace, yet driving home strong points of view based on the wisdom of experience. The Chairman, Pat Elsworthy, President of the ACE Brisbane Metropolitan Group of ACE, entertained the audience with a colourful bio of each of the  speakers. Further entertainment was provided as the arguments 'for' and 'against' were embellished with witticisms offered by the Head Adjudicator , Mr Jim Tunstall, during his report. The spirited audience was invited to vote on ballot papers made available during the short interval over a complimentary glass of wine. All found the contest very close, giving the win to the Affirmative Team.

Representing the Affirmative  Team were Professor Bob Lingard, from the School of Education at  University of Queensland, Mr Terry Burke, Secretary of the Independent Education Union and Ms Katrina Olley who currently  teaches part-time at St Agatha's, Clayfield and St Joseph's School at Kangaroo Point. The Negative Team included Dr Alan Campbell, Deputy Headmaster from the Anglican Church Grammar School, Mr Bob Mc Hugh, Chair of the QSA and Ms Kate Oliver, a graduate of Loreto College 2009.

A highlight of this year's debate was the representation from schools - a Deputy Principal, a teacher and an immediate past student. Their currency 'at the chalk-face' gave breadth and credibility to the strongly represented academic, political and industrial arguments. Kate Oliver, a keen debater whilst at school supported the position that teachers, in her experience, were never in control.

Katrina Olley argued that teachers were no longer able to "command and demand "in their classrooms, but were expected to "entertain and appease".

The magnitude of education reforms proposed for the near future, will offer much to debate and entertain as ACE plans for next year's event at The Customs House.