Primary Debating 2025/2026

Primary Schools' Debating Programme 2025/2026

Kildare Education Support Centre is delighted to announce that, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, it will once again be offering primary schools in its catchment area the opportunity to participate in the 2025/2026 Primary Schools’ Debating Programme. This will be supported by Kildare County Council Library & Arts Services.

Concern Primary Debates is a fun educational programme run by ESCI Centres in conjunction with Ireland’s largest NGO, Concern Worldwide.  The programme is aimed at senior classes (4^th to 6^th) or for children aged approx. 10-12yrs.  Concern Debates aims at introducing topics of development to both students and teachers through debate motions, to engage students in public speaking and higher order thinkings skills arounds topics such as Climate Change, Poverty and Sustainable Development.  Debating can help develop self-confidence, promote active listening and provide a platform for the use of skills such as analysis, deductive reasoning and flexible thinking.