Some 250,000 grades four to six students in just under 1,000 primary, all-age and preparatory schools across the island are to participate in the National HIV/AIDS Primary Schools Debating Competition.

The competition, organised by Scotiabank, will run from December to March 2007.

Simone Hull, public, corporate and government affairs officer at Scotiabank, said the event, which is being hosted under the theme, 'Speak Up! Speak Out!', is aimed at raising awareness levels among young children and changing attitudes towards persons living with HIV/AIDS, by fighting stigma and discrimination while promoting healthy lifestyles.

The debate will begin with all competing schools across the 14 parishes debating various moots on HIV/AIDS. This will lead up to regional debates, and ultimately nationals, with the grand finals being scheduled for March 1, 2007.

The debate, which has been endorsed by both the Ministries of Education and Health, will be launched on December 6 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, St. Andrew.