Debaters from De La Salle University bagged the last semifinal slot in ANC's "Square Off: Frankahan - The Drilon Debates" after defeating the team from UP Baguio.

The last quarterfinal match of Square Off: Frankahan - The Drilon Debates saw De La Salle University battling with University of the Philippines - Baguio on the motion that "this house would add one year to the education curriculum. Via unanimous decision, DLSU earned the last semifinal spot.

UP - Baguio, representing government, proposed that High School be lengthened from the current four years to five. They said the added year in high school would help prepare students for college.

They characterized the status quo as one where many students fail their courses, repeat lessons, or drop out altogether because they lack the proper educational foundation. UP Baguio then attributed the deficiency to the frequent interruptions to the school term brought about by calamities or armed conflicts. It also cited the morning and afternoon shifting system used by many schools to accommodate excessive populations, which naturally results in shorter school days The additional High School year, therefore, would make up for the lost school time.

DLSU countered that limited government resources were better utilized in improving the quality of the country's teachers, which, they contend, is the real cause of the country's poor education standards. They questioned whether another year of being taught by incompetent or poorly-equipped teachers would make any difference to students.

DLSU also raised the added financial burden another year of High School would put on Filipino families. And while UP Baguio tried to argue that this would be a worthwhile investment, it failed to explain why this was so.

DLSU easily rebutted UP Baguio's claims that an additional school year would address problems like students having different paces of learning. And while DLSU managed to largely discredit UP Baguio's premise - that the main problem with education in the Philippines is lack of time - the girls of UP Baguio didn't point out the weaknesses in DLSU's diagnosis that blames bad teachers.

In awarding the win to DLSU, the adjudicators praised the Opposition's adeptness at clashing with Government's arguments. The panel also criticized UP Baguio for neglecting to cite any models of academic curricula abroad which could have bolstered its case.

DLSU goes on to face the men of San Beda College on March 19, Wedensday, for the first of the Quarterfinal rounds.

Square Off: Frankahan - The Drilon Debates airs every Wednesdays, 8-9pm, with replays every Thursday 1pm, Saturday 1pm and Sunday 2am.