Philippine Schools Debate Championship

The Philippine Schools Debate Championship (PSDC) is one of the country’s leading national debate tournaments for high school students, organized primarily by the Ateneo Debate Society in partnership with various university and debate organizations. Using the British Parliamentary (BP) format, PSDC gathers secondary schools from across the Philippines to compete in multiple preliminary rounds followed by elimination rounds, culminating in grand finals and various speaker awards. The tournament is open to high school teams from Philippine schools, typically including students in lower and upper secondary levels (roughly grades 9–12). Participants gain rigorous training in argumentation, critical thinking, and public speaking while engaging with current social, political, and ethical issues. Beyond the competition itself, PSDC often features adjudication workshops and feedback from experienced university debaters, making it a strong developmental opportunity for students aiming to excel in local and international debate circuits.