St. Joseph’s Academy has retained the Caribbean Union Bank Inter-secondary School Debate Championship title following Tuesday’s finals at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus.

The school emerged victorious over Sir Novelle Richards Academy in the highly anticipated championship debate hosted by the Ministry of Education’s Education Broadcasting Unit.

The moot for the finals was: “CARICOM offers the best option for Member States to maintain their sovereignty,” with Sir Novelle Richards Academy arguing the proposition and St. Joseph’s Academy taking the opposition side.

In a post following the finals, organisers congratulated St. Joseph’s Academy for successfully defending its title while also commending Sir Novelle Richards Academy for its “outstanding performance throughout the season and in today’s finals.”

The ministry praised both teams for demonstrating “excellence, discipline, and the true spirit of debate.”

The annual competition is aimed at strengthening students’ critical thinking, public speaking and research skills while encouraging engagement in regional and civic issues.