5th Edition of the Madam Mariamma Varkey Commemorative Debate for Teachers (2025–26)

7 Feb 2026

Guided by the enduring philosophy Veritas per Dialogum-Truth through Dialogue, OOB continues to uphold debate not merely as an event, but as a disciplined way of thinking, a celebration of reasoned discourse and a commitment to intellectual integrity. Over the years, the OOBite community has fostered a vibrant culture of debating rooted in curiosity, respect for diverse perspectives and a deep appreciation for thoughtful, informed disagreement.

In this spirit, the 5th Edition of the Madam Mariamma Varkey Commemorative Debate for Teachers was conducted on Saturday, 7 February 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The event brought together educators from ten schools, with twenty accomplished speakers engaging in a rigorous exchange of ideas. The topic of the debate was articulated as follows: “Students must have the right to choose their teacher,” a proposition that invited thoughtful reflection on the principles of autonomy, educational agency, and the dynamics of the teacher–learner relationship. The debate stood as a testament to the belief that thinking teachers nurture thinking students and that when educators model critical inquiry, respectful disagreement and articulate expression, they empower learners to question, reason and lead with integrity.

The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Johannes Bodenstein, School Improvement Advisor at the Sharjah Private Education Authority, who served as the Moderator. The distinguished panel of judges included Dr. Chitra Raghavan, Officiating Principal of Delhi Progressive School, Sharjah (Delhi Public School Society); Mr. Anand Raj O.K., Dubai-based multi-award-winning journalist; and Mr. Ryden Aranjo, Vice President, Product and Planning, GEMS Education. The occasion was further honoured by the presence of Mr. Michael Guzder, Executive Vice President, GEMS Education, along with many other distinguished guests, whose collective expertise and academic stature enriched the discourse and elevated the intellectual calibre of the forum.

The debate celebrated the legacy of Madam Mariamma Varkey by honouring pedagogical excellence, intellectual rigour and scholarly dialogue. Teachers, as learners and thinkers themselves, demonstrated clarity of thought, refined wit and academic gravitas as they engaged with the motion, embodying the essence of respectful disagreement and reasoned debate. As philosopher Karl Popper aptly observed, “The growth of knowledge depends entirely upon disagreement,” a belief that resonated strongly throughout the proceedings.

The debate concluded with the following results:

For the Motion

First Place: Ms. Ekta Meston – OOW
Second Place: Ms. Zara Maria Ryan – TMS
Third Place: Ms. Shency Joy – OOS

Against the Motion

First Place: Mr. Reuben Lawrence – TMS
Second Place: Ms. Pritha Banerjee – OIS
Third Place: Ms. Divya Sankaran – OOS

Overall School Rankings

First Place: TMS
Second Place: OOW
Third Place: OOS

The Madam Mariamma Varkey Commemorative Debate once again reaffirmed its stature as a distinguished academic forum where ideas met purpose and dialogue became transformative. Through reflective discourse and meaningful exchange, the event celebrated the noble pursuit of truth and reinforced the enduring power of dialogue in education.