Professional Documents
Culture Documents
national curriculum.
Ciivic education, also known as civics or citizenship education, is an educational discipline that
aims to promote an understanding of democratic principles, government structures, the rights
and responsibilities of citizens, and the role of individuals in society. It is designed to equip
individuals with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to actively participate in their
communities, make informed decisions, and contribute to the betterment of society.
Pros Cons
Youth Engagement: Lowering the voting age Maturity and Knowledge: Critics argue that
could encourage political engagement among 16-year-olds might lack the maturity, life
young people, fostering a habit of civic experience, and political knowledge
participation early on. necessary to make informed voting decisions.
Inclusion and Representation: Extending the Manipulation and Influence: Concerns arise
vote to 16- and 17-year-olds acknowledges about the susceptibility of younger voters to
that they are affected by political decisions manipulation by political campaigns and
and deserve representation in the democratic media due to their limited experience.
process.
Partisan Voting: Some worry that 16-year-
Education and Awareness: Voting at a olds may vote based on peer pressure, family
younger age can encourage political influence, or shallow reasons rather than a
education and awareness, leading to a more deep understanding of political issues.
informed electorate.
Informed Decision-Making: Critics contend
Social Responsibility: Allowing younger that many 16-year-olds might not fully
citizens to vote emphasizes their role and comprehend the complexity of policy issues,
responsibility in shaping society, encouraging leading to uninformed decisions.
them to be proactive and informed about their
communities. Instability of Opinions: Some argue that
opinions and beliefs at age 16 can be more
Consistency with Other Rights: Many fluid and subject to change, making it
countries already grant certain rights and challenging to predict long-term political
responsibilities to 16-year-olds, such as the preferences.
right to work, drive, and pay taxes, making
voting consistent with these other legal Limited Impact: The percentage of the
privileges. electorate comprised of 16- and 17-year-olds
might be relatively small, potentially reducing
Long-Term Engagement: Early engagement the impact of their votes on election
in the political process can lead to continued outcomes.
participation throughout a person's life,
increasing overall civic engagement. Potential for Manipulation: Political parties
may seek to exploit the inexperience of
younger voters by focusing on emotionally
charged issues rather than substantive policy
discussions.
Motion: This House advocates for the implementation of a guaranteed minimum income
for unemployed youth.
A guaranteed minimum income for unemployed youth refers to a government policy that
ensures a certain level of income or financial support for young individuals who are unemployed
and do not have a stable source of income. This policy aims to alleviate poverty, provide a
safety net, and assist young people in meeting their basic needs.
Pros Cons
Economic Stability: By providing financial Cost Inflation: Concerns arise about the
assistance, the policy can contribute to potential inflation of costs for basic goods and
economic stability by preventing the negative services if many individuals rely on the
effects of youth unemployment on local guaranteed income, impacting overall
economies. affordability.
Skills Development: Unemployed youth may Dependency: There's a risk that some youth
have more time to invest in skills might become dependent on the guaranteed
development, education, or vocational income rather than actively seeking
training, increasing their employability in the opportunities for personal and professional
long run. growth.
Reduced Inequality: A guaranteed minimum Lack of Motivation: The policy might reduce
income can help reduce income inequality by the sense of urgency for unemployed youth to
providing support to those who need it most, find work, potentially delaying their entry into
promoting a more equitable society. the workforce.
Health and Well-being: Financial stress can Administrative Complexity: Implementing and
negatively impact mental and physical health. managing a guaranteed minimum income
Adequate income support can contribute to program requires effective administration and
better overall well-being. monitoring to prevent fraud and ensure
fairness.
Labor Market Flexibility: Youth may feel more
empowered to pursue meaningful career Targeting and Eligibility: Determining who is
paths or entrepreneurial endeavors without eligible for the income and verifying their
the immediate pressure of finding any job for need can be challenging, potentially leading
survival. to issues of fairness and inclusion.
Motion: This House believes that social media platforms should be regulated to protect
the mental health of young users.
This motion proposes that governments or regulatory bodies should establish rules and
guidelines to regulate the content, features, and practices of social media platforms with the
specific aim of safeguarding the mental health and well-being of young users. The goal is to
address potential negative effects of social media on the mental health of youth, such as
cyberbullying, comparison, and excessive screen time.
Addictive Behaviors:
Research published in the Journal of Youth Studies suggests that excessive social media use
can contribute to addictive behaviors and negatively impact mental health.
Social Comparison and Body Image:
Studies have shown that exposure to idealized body images on social media can lead to body
dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem among young users.
Disinformation and Misleading Content:
Misleading information and disinformation on social media can contribute to stress and anxiety
among users, particularly young individuals who might lack the critical skills to discern credible
sources.
Pros Cons
Digital Literacy: Regulations can promote User Responsibility: Some argue that users,
digital literacy and critical thinking by requiring especially parents, should take primary
platforms to provide accurate information, responsibility for monitoring and managing
verification tools, and resources for users to their own and their children's online
navigate online content responsibly. experiences.
Motion: This House supports the inclusion of comprehensive sex education in schools.
Comprehensive sex education refers to a structured and age-appropriate educational program
taught in schools that covers a wide range of topics related to human sexuality, relationships,
sexual health, and reproductive rights. The goal is to provide students with accurate information,
promote healthy behaviors, and equip them with the knowledge and skills to make informed
decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that comprehensive sex
education programs can help reduce rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among
young people.
Pros Cons
Gender Equality: The education addresses Privacy Concerns: Some parents worry that
issues related to gender roles, stereotypes, explicit information might be shared with
and respect in relationships, promoting students without adequate privacy or consent.
gender equality and healthy communication.
Cultural Sensitivity: Different cultures have
Open Communication: It encourages open varying perspectives on sexual education,
and honest communication between parents, and comprehensive programs might not
educators, and students, fostering a consider cultural sensitivities.
supportive environment for discussing
sensitive topics. Implementation Challenges: Schools may
lack trained educators and resources to
Empowerment: Comprehensive sex effectively implement comprehensive sex
education empowers students to make education.
responsible choices regarding their sexual
health and well-being.
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity: A comprehensive
approach includes information about diverse
sexual orientations and gender identities,
fostering an inclusive and supportive
environment.
Motion: This House supports incentivizing private sector companies to hire a higher
percentage of young workers.
This motion proposes the implementation of policies or incentives that encourage private sector
companies to hire a larger proportion of young individuals, typically those within a specific age
range. These incentives could include tax breaks, subsidies, grants, or other benefits that make
hiring young workers more appealing to businesses.
Pros Cons
Economic Growth: Integrating more young Overlooking Older Workers: Prioritizing young
workers into the workforce can contribute to workers could lead to the neglect of older,
economic growth by expanding the labor experienced employees who may face
force and increasing productivity. challenges in finding employment.
Motion: This House calls for stricter regulations on the marketing and advertising of
unhealthy foods targeting youth.
This motion proposes the implementation of more stringent regulations and restrictions on the
marketing and advertising of foods that are deemed unhealthy, especially when targeted toward
young audiences. The goal is to curb the influence of such marketing on children and
adolescents, with the aim of promoting healthier eating habits and reducing the prevalence of
diet-related health issues.
Pros Cons
Motion: This House believes that the government should provide free mental health
services for all young people.
This motion advocates for government-funded mental health services that are accessible and
free of charge to all young individuals within a specified age range. These services would
encompass a range of mental health care, including counseling, therapy, psychiatric care, and
support programs.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), half of all mental health conditions start by
the age of 14, making early intervention crucial.
The Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health and Sustainable Development highlighted that
mental health issues are the leading cause of disability among young people worldwide.
Unmet Needs:
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that nearly 60% of young adults with a history of
mental illness did not receive any mental health treatment or counseling in the past year.
Impact on Education:
The American Psychological Association reports that mental health challenges can lead to
academic struggles, absenteeism, and reduced educational attainment among young people.
Pros Cons
Equitable Access: Providing free mental Financial Burden: Funding free mental health
health services ensures that all young people, services requires significant resources,
regardless of their financial status, have potentially straining government budgets and
access to essential mental health care. diverting funds from other sectors.
Early Intervention: Accessible mental health Quality of Care: Concerns may arise about
services enable early intervention and the quality of free mental health services if
support, which can prevent the escalation of they are underfunded or if there is a lack of
mental health issues in young individuals. qualified professionals.
Motion: This House supports the establishment of youth councils in every barangay
(neighborhood) to provide platforms for youth participation in local governance.
This motion proposes the creation of official youth councils at the barangay level, which is the
smallest administrative division in the Philippines, to provide young individuals with a formal
platform to participate in local governance. These councils would enable youth to voice their
opinions, contribute to decision-making, and engage in community development activities.
Pros Cons
Civic Education: Youth councils provide Tokenism: There's a risk that youth councils
practical learning experiences in governance, could become tokenistic, with limited
leadership, and community engagement, influence and the appearance of participation
enhancing civic education. without meaningful impact.
Community Development: Youth councils can Political Manipulation: Youth councils might
contribute to the implementation of be influenced or manipulated by existing local
community development projects that cater to political dynamics, impacting their autonomy.
the interests of young people.
Lack of Interest: Some young individuals
Leadership Development: Participation in might not be interested in participating in
youth councils nurtures leadership skills, youth councils, potentially resulting in low
fostering the growth of future community engagement.
leaders.
Conflict of Priorities: The priorities of youth
Transparency and Accountability: Youth might not always align with those of the larger
involvement promotes transparency and community, leading to potential conflicts.
accountability in local governance by
encouraging open discussions. Bureaucratic Challenges: Youth councils
might face bureaucratic hurdles and
Social Cohesion: Youth councils promote challenges in coordinating with existing local
social cohesion by bringing together young government structures.
individuals from diverse backgrounds to work
toward common goals.
Motion: This House believes that government scholarships should be solely based on
academic merit rather than financial need.
The motion refers to the question of whether government scholarships should be awarded
primarily or exclusively based on student's academic achievements and performance rather
than their financial circumstances or need for financial assistance. This debate centers around
the criteria used to select recipients for government-funded scholarships.
Academic Achievement:
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that higher academic performance
is positively correlated with future earning potential and career success.
Economic Benefits:
Research conducted by the Lumina Foundation indicates that individuals with higher levels of
education are more likely to have higher earnings and contribute positively to the economy.
Efficiency and Resource Allocation:
A report by the Institute for Higher Education Policy highlights that allocating scholarships based
on academic merit can ensure that limited resources are invested in students with the greatest
potential for academic success.
Motivation and Effort:
A study published in the journal "Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis" suggests that
merit-based scholarships can motivate students to perform better academically and strive for
excellence.
Pros Cons
Motion: This House supports the implementation of a curfew for minors to ensure their
safety and well-being.
The motion pertains to the adoption of regulations that impose a specific time by which minors
(individuals below a certain age) must be off the streets and not engage in public activities. The
goal of such curfews is to enhance the safety and well-being of young individuals by reducing
their exposure to potential risks or harm during late hours.
● The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that youth-related crimes, such as theft,
robbery, and violence, often peak during nighttime hours.
● Reports from local law enforcement agencies highlight instances of minors becoming
victims of crimes, accidents, and incidents involving illegal substances during late hours.
Pros Cons
Crime Prevention: Curfews can contribute to Individual Freedom: Enforcing curfews might
the reduction of youth-related crime and be seen as infringing on the individual rights
delinquency during nighttime hours when and freedom of young people to move and
criminal activities are more likely to occur. engage in activities as they choose.
Motion: This House calls for the inclusion of climate change education in the national
curriculum.
The motion pertains to advocating for the integration of educational content related to climate
change into the official national curriculum of educational institutions. This would involve
teaching students about the science, impacts, mitigation strategies, and actions related to
climate change.
● The National Center for Science Education highlights that less than 30% of K-12 U.S.
science teachers consistently teach climate change due to various challenges.
● The National Climate Assessment states that climate change is already affecting various
aspects of society, including health, agriculture, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
● The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report
emphasizes the urgent need for global action to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-
industrial levels to avoid severe climate impacts.
Pros Cons
Informed Citizens: An educated populace is Lack of Expertise: Teachers might lack the
better equipped to understand the urgency of necessary expertise to effectively teach
climate action and make informed decisions complex climate change concepts accurately.
as responsible citizens.
Controversy and Bias: Climate change is a
Mitigation and Adaptation: Education can politically charged topic; discussions might
empower students to contribute to climate lead to bias or controversy, depending on
change mitigation efforts and to develop how it's presented.
adaptive strategies to deal with its impacts.
Parental Concerns: Some parents might have
Behavioral Change: Climate change concerns about the content, fearing that it
education can encourage sustainable might be overly negative or influence their
behaviors and environmentally friendly children's beliefs.
choices among students, contributing to a
greener society. Resource Constraints: Introducing climate
change education might require additional
Interdisciplinary Learning: Integrating climate resources for materials, teacher training, and
change education can promote educational tools.
interdisciplinary learning by connecting
science, geography, social studies, and more. Cultural Context: Climate change education
should consider local and cultural contexts to
Empowerment: Knowledge about climate ensure relevance and avoid imposing a
change can empower students to engage in Western-centric perspective.
discussions, advocate for policies, and
participate in climate-related activities. Values Conflict: Climate change education
might conflict with the beliefs of certain
Long-Term Vision: Climate change education communities, leading to opposition or
instills a sense of responsibility for the resistance.
planet's future and encourages a long-term
perspective on environmental sustainability. Age Appropriateness: Determining the
appropriate age for introducing climate
change education can be challenging due to
the complexity of the topic.
Motion: This House advocates for the expansion of vocational and technical education
options for young people.
The motion calls for the broadening of educational opportunities by increasing the availability
and access to vocational and technical education programs for young individuals. Vocational
and technical education focuses on practical skills, hands-on training, and industry-specific
knowledge to prepare students for careers in various trades, industries, and professions.
Data:
● According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030, around 15% of global job roles are
expected to be displaced due to automation and technology adoption, while 12% of new
roles will emerge in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and content
creation.
● The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that many skilled trades are experiencing
faster-than-average job growth. For example, the employment of electricians is projected
to grow by 8% from 2020 to 2030.
● A study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that well-implemented
vocational education and training programs can lead to better employment outcomes,
reduced youth unemployment, and improved labor market participation.
Pros Cons
Job Readiness: Vocational education equips Social Stigma: Vocational education might
students with practical skills and knowledge still carry a stigma as being a less prestigious
directly relevant to specific careers, option compared to traditional academic
enhancing their employability. paths.
Meeting Industry Demand: The expansion of Limited Focus: Critics argue that vocational
vocational and technical education aligns education might limit students' exposure to
education with the needs of industries, broader academic subjects and critical
helping to fill skill gaps and support economic thinking skills.
growth.
Evolving Job Market: The job market is
Diverse Career Paths: Offering vocational constantly evolving; skills learned in
options provides young people with a diverse vocational education might become obsolete
range of career paths beyond traditional if industries change rapidly.
academic routes.
Inadequate Resources: Providing quality
Reducing Unemployment: Vocational vocational education requires proper
education can reduce youth unemployment infrastructure, equipment, and well-trained
by preparing students for in-demand jobs and instructors, which might be lacking.
trades.
Perceived Earnings: There could be a
Hands-on Learning: Technical education perception that vocational careers offer lower
emphasizes hands-on learning, helping earning potential compared to careers that
students develop practical skills that can be require a traditional college degree.
applied immediately in the workforce.
Skills vs. Knowledge: Critics contend that
Alternative to College: Vocational education vocational education focuses more on
provides an alternative to traditional college practical skills and less on broader intellectual
pathways, offering a viable route to development.
meaningful and well-paying careers.
Limited Transferability: Skills acquired
Entrepreneurship: Vocational education can through vocational education might be highly
foster entrepreneurial skills, allowing students specialized and less transferable to other
to start their own businesses or become self- industries.
employed.
Motion: This House believes that social media influencers should be held accountable
for promoting unrealistic beauty standards to young audiences.
The motion revolves around the question of whether individuals who are considered social
media influencers should be held responsible and answerable for endorsing or promoting
beauty standards that are unattainable or unrealistic, particularly to their young followers.
Data:
● According to a study published in the journal Body Image, exposure to idealized images
on social media can lead to body dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem, particularly
among adolescents.
● Research conducted by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) suggests that
social media contributes to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors, with
69% of young people reporting that they feel pressure to have the "perfect" body.
● A survey by the Dove Self-Esteem Project found that 80% of girls worldwide feel
pressure to conform to beauty standards set by social media.
● A study published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that engaging with social media
platforms for more than three hours per day is associated with a higher risk of
experiencing high levels of depressive symptoms among adolescents.
Pros Cons
Motion: This House supports mandatory community service for all youth as a
requirement for graduation.
The motion pertains to the debate over whether all young individuals should be required to
engage in community service as a mandatory component of their education, with successful
completion being a prerequisite for graduation from educational institutions.
Data:
● According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, youth who
engage in community service are more likely to perform well academically, exhibit
leadership skills, and develop a strong sense of civic responsibility.
● The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health found that students who
participated in community service were more likely to have higher self-esteem, lower
levels of depression, and better mental health outcomes.
● A survey by the National Conference on Citizenship revealed that young people who
participated in community service were more likely to be engaged in voting, volunteering,
and other civic activities later in life.
● In countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, mandatory
community service or volunteering is already integrated into some education systems as
a way to foster civic engagement and character development.
Pros Cons