Resources for Student Debaters
Resources to help young people prepare for debates.
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Primary School Debates
The Concern Primary Debates is a fun educational programme aimed at senior primary students.
The Concern Primary Debates are run in conjunction with Education Support Centres across Ireland, and this year the debates will run both online and in person. We have free downloadable resources to get your class started below.
The Concern Primary Debates is open to senior primary classes.
If you have any questions, please contact us at primarydebates@concern.net and a Concern member of staff will be in touch with further information.
Get Registered
Please note that all registrations are handled by Education Support Centres - not Concern Worldwide. Please see below for participating centres to register your team.
Leinster
- DUBLIN - contact Dublin West Education Support Centre - skerr@dwec.ie
- KILDARE - contact Kildare Education Support Centre - office@eckildare.ie
- LAOIS – contact Laois Education Support Centre - MargaretMary@laoisedcentre.ie
- KILKENNY - contact Kilkenny Education Support Centre - honorah@eckilkenny.ie
- WEXFORD – contact Wexford Education Support Centre - office@ecwexford.ie
- WESTMEATH - contact Athlone Education Support Centre -info@athloneeducationcentre.com
Munster
Connacht
Ulster
Concern Primary Debates Explainer
Check out our video which will guide you through the Concern Primary Debates Programme!
Primary Debates Handbook.pdf
(PDF, 2 MB)
Published: 7 February 2022
In Person Primary Debates Room Setup - Concern Primary Debates.pdf
(PDF, 1 MB)
Published: 15 July 2024
Primary Debates Room Setup Online Primary.pdf
(PDF, 1 MB)
Published: 15 July 2024
Primary Debates Timekeeper Sheet.pdf
(PDF, 183 kB)
Published: 15 July 2024
Primary Debates Adjudicator Marking Sheet 2024 Form.pdf
(PDF, 303 kB)
Published: 7 February 2022
Primary Debates Chairpersons Speech.pdf
(PDF, 110 kB)
Published: 7 February 2022
Motions 2024/25
Below are the motions for the 2024/2025 academic year. Your local Education Support Centre will advise you on which motions you are debating and whether your team will be proposing or opposing the motion.
- Every person in Ireland should be given a bike
- School summer holidays are too long
- We should only buy Fairtrade products
- Our schools should be paperless
- The arts are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Cities are essential to tackling climate change
Motions Research Links 2024/25
Don’t know where to begin researching for each motion? Check out the link below which has articles, educational resources and videos to help prepare teachers and students for their debate.
Motion Workshops
These virtual workshops will help students and teachers preparing for the Concern Primary Debates with their research on each motion.
We should only buy Fairtrade products - Motion Workshop.pdf
(PDF, 8 MB)
Published: 7 February 2022
Our schools should be paperless - Motion Workshop.pdf
(PDF, 9 MB)
Published: 7 February 2022
The arts are key to the SDGs - Motion Workshop.pdf
(PDF, 9 MB)
Published: 7 February 2022
Cities are essential to tackling climate change - Motion Workshop.pdf
(PDF, 8 MB)
Published: 7 February 2022
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