Jan Ki Baat covered Halla Bol, a student debate event organized by Teach for India. Furkan Ahmed, one of the organizers of Halla Bol spoke to Jan Ki Baat to inform us of the goal the debate tournament hopes to achieve: debating is a skill that must be encouraged in children from a young age so they are empowered enough to ask questions and discuss important issues. Sulagna Roy expressed similar views when she said that the ability of children to articulate their thoughts and ask the right questions is a good start. The students discussed student-centric issues and much more; the burden of homework and home assignments, of the lack of time, of transgender community and special schools and even, demonetization. Each child had a different dream from one another: teacher, architect, scientist, psychologist and various other diverse and unique future would be open for these exceptionally confident students.
Halla Bol was initiated in 2014 by Teach for India. Under this project, the organization focussed on building the debating skills in the kids from Government schools and low-income private schools. The curriculum progresses from the basic format to kids learning and finally, concludes with formulation and presentation of arguments. The children acquire skills: researching, critical thinking, evaluating, analysis and assessment of their own capabilities. Halla Bol allows kids to come together and compete with different schools in Delhi. Further, they are been evaluated by judges from various debating circuits in Delhi. Overall, kids gain confidence of public speaking, value of opinion and argumentation in front of public.
The event creates a platform for interaction amongst these kinds and cultivates the questioning ability inherent in human beings. The children acquire skills: researching, critical thinking, evaluating, analysis and assessment of their own capabilities. Early empowerment is necessary for a bright future.
SHARE
