Good debating skills learned at school stand pupils in good stead when they join the job market, a reinsurance company personnel administrator told Whitney Institute students on Friday.

Sue Bartlett of reinsurance firm Johnson & Higgins said: "You can see the difference out in the workforce when they come for interviews.'' And she told pupils the ability to argue a case was "a life skill'' and urged them all to take part in the school's debating society.

Ms Bartlett was speaking as she handed out a cup and a medal to the winners of the Whitney Debate Competition Finals.

The winners of the in-school competition were Tesfa Maryam, 15, and Jamila Darrell, 16, who proposed the motion "that this House believes students make the best teachers.'' The two scored a narrow victory over the much younger duo of Nelson Vivieros and Che Edmead, both first year pupils at the school.

The final was judged by Education Minister Jerome Dill, Opposition leader Jennifer Smith and former Youth and Sport Minister Tim Smith.

The cup and medals for the winners were donated by Ms Bartlett's firm, which is a regular sponsor of debating competitions in schools.

Lead judge Mr. Dill told the four youngsters: "I thought you were first class -- it was a very difficult decision to make.''