A NUMBER of secondary school students will debate the value of the TT Races to the Isle of Man and the government's stance on legalising cannabis at a sitting of Junior Tynwald.
The annual event is organised by the Isle of Man branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in association with the Department of Education and Children and will take place on Monday, July 18.
Each of the Island's five secondary schools will field a team of year 12 students who will assume the role of the politicians in court in the Tynwald Chamber.
Clare Christian MLC, the chair of the Isle of Man CPA, said: "Each year at the sitting of Junior Tynwald it is encouraging to witness students' comprehensive knowledge of current affairs and the accomplished and highly articulate manner in which they engage in lively debate.
"Demonstrating the positive ideals of parliamentary democracy to young people is high on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's agenda.
"Junior Tynwald serves not only to provide students with firsthand experience of the Manx parliamentary system but also offers Tynwald Members a valuable opportunity to learn more about the political issues of the day that are of concern to the Island’s young people."
On the day the students will receive a tour of the Legislative Buildings followed by a pre-briefing session before formal proceedings take place. Each school will ask three questions to be answered by a Tynwald Member and two motions will be moved and voted upon.
Eddie Teare MHK, the Education and Children Minister, said: "For many people there is an air of mystique about Tynwald. The chamber, procedure and the matters discussed may appear somewhat distant from most people's everyday life. However its actions impact on us all and it is important that as many people as possible understand how the Island's parliament functions.
"When there is a good understanding it will encourage more people to participate not only by casting their votes in general or by-elections but as candidates.
"I do hope that the young people who are participating in this year's Junior Tynwald will find the experience rewarding and perhaps it will stimulate a longer term interest in our parliament."
The sitting of Junior Tynwald will not be open to the general public but observers from each participating school will be allowed to watch from the public gallery. A number of students will also act as reporters under the watchful eye of Isle of Man Newspapers and Manx Radio.
