St. John’s Academy Hosts Stage II of the Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate 2026
St. John’s Academy, Karchana, Prayagraj, hosted Stage II – the Selection Stage – of Pool E5 of the Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate Competition 2026 (Category I, for students of Classes XI and XII) on Thursday, 27 August 2026. Conducted under the aegis of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), the competition commemorates the late Mr. Frank Anthony (1908-1993) – educationist, lawyer, parliamentarian and founder-Chairman of the CISCE – whose eloquence in the courtroom, in Parliament and on the page makes an annual debate a fitting tribute to his memory.
Three schools contested Pool E5: St. Joseph’s College, Prayagraj; St. John’s School, Bhoolanpur; and William Henry Smith Memorial School. In keeping with the rules of the competition, they debated as Team “A”, “B” and “C” and were not identified by name during the rounds.
The motion for the day was “Carbon emission taxes should be made mandatory worldwide.” Following the prescribed format, the participants received the motion one hour before the debate and prepared in isolation, without access to the internet or any electronic aids. Each speaker was given four minutes to present, followed by two minutes of rebuttal in which members of the opposing teams put short, pointed questions on the content of the speech. The proceedings were conducted by the Moderator, Mr. Shubhojeet Bose of St. John’s Academy, who introduced the life and legacy of Frank Anthony, explained the rules and procedure, and steered the session through to the final tabulation.
The debate was adjudicated by a panel of three judges: Dr. Kasturi Bharadwaj, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Jagat Taran Girls’ Degree College, University of Allahabad; Dr. Anjali Shivhare, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the same college; and Ms. Shweta Pandey Tripathi, a CBSE English PGT with an M.Phil. in English and extensive experience as an oracy and rhetoric trainer and as an adjudicator of inter-school debate and literary events.
The speakers engaged closely with the economics, ethics and practicality of a worldwide carbon tax, and the rebuttal rounds were sharp and well-informed. On the judges’ tabulation, St. Joseph’s College, Prayagraj, represented by Raghav Mishra and Yasharth Pratap Singh, emerged as the Winning Team, with St. John’s School, Bhoolanpur, represented by Akshat Srivastava and Swastik Tripathi, placing as the First Runner-Up Team. Yasharth Pratap Singh of St. Joseph’s College was adjudged the Best Speaker, and Swastik Tripathi of St. John’s School the First Runner-Up Speaker. Both teams qualify for Stage III, the Semi-Finals.
St. John’s Academy places on record its thanks to the visiting schools, the accompanying teachers and the distinguished panel of judges for a rigorous and rewarding day of debate, and congratulates every participant for the quality of thought and expression brought to the platform.
