158 Debate Topics for Secondary Schools

Debate Topics for Secondary Schools

Introduction

If you’re looking for the best debate topics for secondary schools, this guide is exactly what you need. Whether you’re a teacher organizing an inter-house debate or a student preparing for a class presentation, finding a strong topic can make all the difference.

Debates help students develop confidence, reasoning skills, and the courage to express their opinions. But many schools struggle to find exciting and age-appropriate debate questions. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate list of 158 debate topics for secondary schools, carefully organized into categories — education, technology, politics, environment, lifestyle, and social values.

Each topic is designed to help students practice logical thinking, build speaking skills, and stand out during competitions. If you want even more topics instantly, visit our free Debate Topic Generator — it’s the fastest way to get hundreds of debate topics for secondary schools in Nigeria.

Let’s begin with the educational debates students love the most.

158 Debate Topics for Secondary Schools

A. Education and School Life

Education debates are always popular in secondary schools because they relate to students’ daily experiences. Here are 20 debate topics for secondary schools on school life and academics:

1. Private schools are better than public schools.
2. Teachers are better than doctors.
3. Boarding schools are better than day schools.
4. Examinations should be banned in schools.
5. Continuous assessment is better than final exams.
6. Female education is better than male education.
7. Students should be allowed to use phones in school.
8. Teachers should be paid more than politicians.
9. Science is better than art.
10. Moral education should be made compulsory.
11. Punishment helps students learn better.
12. School uniforms should be abolished.
13. Homework should not be compulsory.
14. Every student should learn computer studies.
15. Boarding school makes students more disciplined.
16. Government schools provide better education.
17. Teachers are the backbone of the nation.
18. Sports are as important as academics.
19. Education should be free for all students.
20. Students should be allowed to grade teachers.

For more education-based topics, check out Private Schools Are Better Than Public Schools Debate Points.

B. Technology and Innovation

As the world becomes more digital, technology-based debate topics for secondary schools are becoming highly relevant.

21. Social media does more harm than good.
22. The internet should be restricted for teenagers.
23. Technology makes students lazy.
24. Online learning is better than classroom learning.
25. Artificial intelligence is a threat to human jobs.
26. Robots will take over teaching in the future.
27. Smartphones should be banned in schools.
28. Television educates better than teachers.
29. Online friends are not real friends.
30. Technology is the future of education.

Need more creative tech-based debate ideas? Use our Debate Topic Generator — it lists over 500 technology-related debate topics for secondary schools in seconds.

C. Politics and Government

31. Democracy is the best form of government.
32. Military rule is better than civilian rule.
33. Voting should be compulsory for all citizens.
34. The youth should rule Nigeria.
35. Corruption can be totally eliminated.
36. Local governments do not serve the people.
37. Political debates should be mandatory for candidates.
38. Nigerian leaders have failed the youth.
39. Leadership should not depend on age.
40. Education is more powerful than politics.

Political debates teach critical thinking and civic responsibility — two important skills for secondary school students.

D. Environment and Health

41. Climate change is real.
42. Plastic bags should be banned.
43. Environmental sanitation should be mandatory.
44. Tree planting should be a national duty.
45. Clean water is more important than electricity.
46. The government should spend more on hospitals than roads.
47. Eating fruits is better than taking medicine.
48. Littering should attract punishment.
49. Physical exercise should be part of every school day.
50. Pollution should be treated as a crime.

Students who care about the planet will find these environment and health debates exciting and educational.

E. Morality and Religion

51. Honesty is the best policy.
52. Religion should be taught in all schools.
53. Respect is more important than intelligence.
54. Lying is sometimes acceptable.
55. Moral values are fading in today’s world.
56. Students should pray before classes.
57. Tradition is better than modernity.
58. Boys are more disciplined than girls.
59. Religious tolerance is necessary for peace.
60. Greed is the root of all evil.

F. Family and Society

61. Parents are the best teachers.
62. Mothers make better parents than fathers.
63. Children should obey their parents without question.
64. Boys and girls should share household chores equally.
65. Parents should choose careers for their children.
66. Family love is better than wealth.
67. Early marriage should be banned.
68. Strict parenting is better than free parenting.
69. Single parents can raise children successfully.
70. Children should respect elders at all times.

G. Gender and Equality

71. Female education is better than male education.
72. Women should hold more political positions.
73. Men are stronger leaders than women.
74. Gender equality is possible in Nigeria.
75. Girls should focus more on education than beauty.
76. Boys are naturally better at sports.
77. Gender discrimination should be punishable by law.
78. Both men and women should share housework.
79. Women are better teachers than men.
80. Men are better decision-makers than women.

H. Economy and Development

81. Agriculture is better than oil.
82. Nigeria can survive without foreign aid.
83. Free trade benefits the poor.
84. Entrepreneurship should be taught in schools.
85. Saving money is better than spending it.
86. Youth unemployment is Nigeria’s biggest problem.
87. Cryptocurrency should be banned.
88. Small businesses are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy.
89. Minimum wage should be increased.
90. Education drives economic growth.

I. Sports and Entertainment

91. Football is better than basketball.
92. Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi.
93. Sports should be compulsory in secondary schools.
94. Entertainment distracts students from studies.
95. Music brings people together.
96. Talented students should get scholarships.
97. Movies educate more than books.
98. Video games should be banned for minors.
99. Sports can unite Nigeria.
100. Comedy promotes happiness.

J. Science and Environment

101. Water is more important than oil.
102. Space exploration is a waste of money.
103. Renewable energy is Nigeria’s future.
104. Science is better than religion.
105. Vaccination should be mandatory.
106. Technology can solve global warming.
107. Recycling should be taught in schools.
108. The future belongs to scientists.
109. Science fairs should be organized yearly.
110. Medical research should be government-funded.

K. Discipline and Character

111. Discipline is the key to success.
112. Freedom spoils students.
113. Punctuality should be rewarded.
114. Laziness is a choice.
115. Respecting rules shows maturity.
116. Teachers should have the right to punish students.
117. Hard work is more important than talent.
118. Students should wear clean uniforms daily.
119. Cheating in exams should lead to expulsion.
120. Discipline shapes good leaders.

L. Fun and Light Topics

121. Cats are better than dogs.
122. Coke is better than Pepsi.
123. Smartphones should be banned during meals.
124. Reading novels is better than watching movies.
125. Summer is better than winter.
126. School holidays should be longer.
127. Boys’ schools are better than mixed schools.
128. Breakfast is the most important meal.
129. Children should vote for class captains.
130. Video games can teach life lessons.

M. Nigerian Society and Culture

131. Traditional marriage is better than church marriage.
132. Nigerian culture is losing its value.
133. English language is better than local languages.
134. Nigerian youths are more creative than elders.
135. Culture shapes behavior.
136. The media controls public opinion.
137. Nigeria is a blessed country.
138. Foreign movies are influencing Nigerian youths.
139. Local foods are healthier than foreign foods.
140. Nigerian music promotes culture.

N. Global and Current Issues

141. Climate change should be taught in schools.
142. Global peace is possible.
143. Developed countries exploit Africa.
144. Online education is the future.
145. War should never be an option.
146. Education should be universal.
147. Refugees deserve better treatment.
148. Racism will never end.
149. The world needs more young leaders.
150. Globalization has helped Nigeria grow.

O. Leadership and Personal Growth

151. Leadership can be learned.
152. Self-confidence is the key to success.
153. Honesty makes a great leader.
154. Responsibility should start at home.
155. Respect earns power.
156. Education creates better leaders.
157. Hard work is more important than luck.
158. Everyone can become a leader.

FAQs

1. What are the best debate topics for secondary schools in Nigeria?
Some of the best include “Private schools are better than public schools,” “Technology makes students lazy,” and “Female education is better than male education.”

2. Where can I get more debate topics quickly?
Use our free Debate Topic Generator — it creates hundreds of debate topics for secondary schools instantly.

3. How do I win a debate competition?
Research well, speak clearly, and defend your points confidently. Learn tips in our guide on How to Start a Debate.

4. Are these debate topics suitable for Nigerian schools?
Yes. They’re designed for both junior and senior secondary school levels.

5. What is the easiest topic to debate?
Topics about school life or family are often easier because everyone can relate to them.

Conclusion

Choosing the right topic is the first step to winning any debate. This list of 158 debate topics for secondary schools gives students and teachers a huge selection to choose from — but don’t stop here.

For unlimited, automatically generated debate topics for secondary schools in Nigeria, visit our Debate Topic Generator today. It’s fast, simple, and helps you find creative, age-appropriate topics in seconds.

Strong debates begin with great topics — and your next winning idea is just one click away.