Program for 18th December, 2011
DEBATE: AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN EDUCATION
“Affirmative Action” is a term originated in the United States in the 1960’s, when President J. F. Kennedy issued a policy giving people with disadvantaged backgrounds a more “affirmative” priority in employment. This type of policy has been implemented in many countries and in many areas such as: health care, social welfare and education. In the UK and many other countries, this type of policy is more often referred to as “Positive Discrimination”.
In Vietnam, Affirmative Action is very popular. In university entrance exams, the exam scores of students with disadvantaged backgrounds (ethnic minorities, students from poor remote regions, etc.) are often boosted with additional “affirmative” points. Many education experts do not agree with this policy, but many government officials say that the policy is necessary for the social-economic development of Vietnam.
Debate Motion:
“We should give students with disadvantaged backgrounds additional ‘affirmative’ points in university entrance exams.”
Below are some starting points to help your team brainstorm your debate. You shouldn’t limit yourself to the suggested points, and you’re encouraged to try to find many more supporting ideas.
Pros (For):
- Affirmative Action (AA) is needed to address inequality in our society. We should help students from poor regions acquire good education so they can contribute to the development of their homelands.
- Affirmative Action (AA) makes sure that everyone has equal opportunities to employment. Rich parents can afford to send their children to better schools and tutoring classes. Their children will do better in universities and will have better chance to get good jobs. Without AA, the children of the rich will get richer, and the children of the poor will get poorer.
- AA leads to a more diversified environment in universities. Students with many different backgrounds studying together can learn from one another. University graduates will have a broader perspective in life, which will lead to a more open and dynamic society.
Cons (Against):
- AA discriminates against talented students. Disadvantaged students with lower scores will get in university and take the place of more talented students.
- AA itself is a kind of discrimination. Rich people (provided that they get rich legally) are entitled to a more secured future for their children because they’ve worked hard to earn money.
- Giving places to students from remote regions with lesser academic capacity will lead to lower teaching standards in universities. The whole society will suffer as a result.
