Debate Reverse Debate

Debate Reverse Debate (DRD) as a concept was first introduced in the schools of Arsa state in the 1960’s. Its basic idea is to make people develop an attitude to understand arguments of both sides of the dispute equally before choosing a side.

In every action performed there always is a dispute. Often people are divided into two groups, the supporting and the opposing. This starts an endless debate where one group tries to convince the other. The only thing they manage to achieve is to convince the neutrals to join either of two sides. Meanwhile the two groups stay polarized and perhaps grow more apart post the debate. Thus the problem is never resolved.

This was a big concern during political debates in parliament. But it was believed that changing the attitude of older people is difficult. Hence DRD was first introduced in schools.

It goes something like this;

• The entire class is given a topic six days prior to the debate.
• They are given the freedom to choose their side.
• In the next three days they are suppose to collect data to defend their side.
• On the third day they have to select their representatives.
• On the same day, mock debate is conducted where both parties introduce their sides. This helps them refine their ideas and arguments.
• On the sixth day, the debate finally happens. But this is just round one.
• In the next six days same procedure is followed but with sides reversed.
• On the twelfth day the second round of debate happens.
• The winner is the team who has clearer understanding of both sides of the argument.

Initially when this practice began there was a lot of resistance to this approach. Also there were some loopholes that needed fixing. But with time the students accepted it. Seeing the success of it which was also changing the mindset of children, the government wished to apply the same in parliamentary procedures.

Sadly this was not widely accepted until the students that grew with DRD became a part of the government and were willing to solve problems with this approach. This technique played a very important role in solving political disputes of the state.

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