PORTALJABAR, WEST BANDUNG REGENCY - The West Java Education Office held the 2026 West Java Provincial Level Indonesian Debate Competition, attended by 81 of the best students from various regencies and cities online at SMAN 1 Lembang (27–28/6/2026).

The competition is a selection event for West Java representatives to participate in the National Schools Debating Championship, which is scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 6, 2026.

Head of the Senior High School Development Division of the West Java Education Office, Ai Nurhasan, said that debates are a means of developing students' critical, creative, and communicative thinking skills.

"Education is an effort to optimize the potential of each student. Debate provides a space for students to develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and communication skills needed in social life and on a global level," he said.

The Chairperson of the West Java Provincial National Schools Debating Championship Committee, Kiki Nurmawansah, explained that the competition aims to select the best participants while also improving English language skills.

"This activity aims to select the best participants who will represent West Java at the national level NSDC, improve students' English skills, build a culture of critical, creative, and communicative thinking, and foster a spirit of healthy competition and uphold sportsmanship," he explained.

Participants come from high schools, Islamic senior high schools, vocational high schools, vocational Islamic senior high schools, and equivalent educational institutions that have passed the district and city level selection.

The series of activities includes technical meetings, preliminary rounds, semifinals, finals, and the determination of the winner.

Participant, Adlin Shiddiq, admitted that the argumentation skills he acquired through school organizations encouraged him to take part in the debate competition.

"This was my first time participating in a debate competition, and I already had experience in school organizations, like the Student Council. From there, I discovered my potential for argumentation, and I've found that debating is very useful in my daily life," he said.

(Rep pun/bhf)