5 Winning Points: Why Morning Assembly is a Waste of Time (Debate Script)
Looking for the winning points for your next debate? You’ve come to the right place.
Good day, students! If you are preparing to step up to the podium to argue that the daily ritual of gathering on the assembly ground is outdated, you need strong, logical arguments. You can’t just say “I hate standing.” You need to prove that it hurts your education.
Today, I’m giving you the exact script to support the motion that Morning Assembly is a Waste of Time.
Let’s be honest with ourselves. We spend hours every week standing in lines, listening to announcements that could have been pasted on a wall. Is this really the best use of our “fresh brain” time? Or is it a tradition that holds us back?
In this post, we will define Morning Assembly as the daily gathering of the entire school population for prayers, anthems, and announcements, and Waste of Time as an activity that consumes valuable resources (time) without yielding a proportional benefit.
This article is for educational purposes to help students prepare for academic debates. It provides arguments supporting one specific side of the motion and does not intend to disrespect school authorities or traditions.
Winning Debate Points on Why Morning Assembly is a Waste of Time
Here are 5 solid points you can copy, adapt, and use to win your debate.
1. It Eats Up Valuable Instructional Time
My first point—and this is the most critical one—is the sheer amount of learning time we lose. Think about it. A typical morning assembly is supposed to last 15 minutes. But does it? No. It drags on for 45 minutes to an hour.
When you calculate that time over a week, that is nearly five hours of lost teaching time. That is enough time to cover two whole topics in Mathematics or Physics! We are constantly rushing to finish the syllabus at the end of the term, yet we waste the most productive hours of the morning standing in a queue.
If we want to improve our grades, we need to prioritize the classroom over the assembly ground. Just like we discussed in our guide on effective study habits, maximizing your time is the secret to academic success. Assembly steals that time.
2. It Causes Physical and Mental Fatigue Before Classes Start
Picture this: It’s 8:00 AM. The sun is already out, or maybe it’s humid. You have been standing for 40 minutes. Your legs are aching, you are sweating, and you are thirsty. Now, immediately after that, you are expected to march into a classroom and solve complex equations. Is that realistic?
Morning assembly is a waste of time because it drains our energy before the real work even begins. Instead of entering the class fresh and ready to learn, students enter tired and dehydrated. According to general health guidelines by sources like the CDC, prolonged standing and heat exposure can lead to reduced cognitive function and fainting spells in children.
We are students, not soldiers. We shouldn’t have to endure a boot camp every morning just to get an education.
3. Information Can Be Passed Through Better Channels
The main argument people use to defend assembly is, “How will we hear the announcements?” My opponents might say this, but it’s a weak point. We are in the 21st century. We don’t need a loudspeaker and a thousand students standing in silence just to hear that “inter-house sports is coming up.”
Schools can use notice boards, class-to-class memos, or even the Public Address (PA) system while students are seated comfortably in their classrooms. This is how modern organizations work.
By sticking to this old method, we are ignoring efficient digital communication channels. If we want to move forward, we need to stop clinging to outdated traditions that slow us down.
4. It Exposes Students to Unnecessary Health Risks
Let’s talk about the environment. In many schools here in Nigeria, there is no assembly hall. We stand in the open. This exposes students to harsh weather conditions—biting cold during Harmattan or scorching heat during the dry season.
I have seen students faint on the assembly ground. I have seen asthma attacks triggered by the dust raised by thousands of feet. Why are we risking our health for a routine that adds no academic value?
If a student is sick, they miss school. If they miss school, they miss lessons. Therefore, the assembly isn’t just a waste of time; it is a risk to our physical well-being.
5. It Encourages Bullying and Late-Coming
Ironically, the assembly ground is often where discipline breaks down. It is the playground for bullies. Senior students or aggressive prefects often use this time to harass juniors under the guise of “maintaining straight lines.”
Furthermore, because students know assembly is boring and physically draining, many intentionally come late just to avoid it. They hide outside the gate until assembly is over. If we scrapped assembly and went straight to class, students would be motivated to come early to get a good seat and prepare for the lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the strongest argument for the opposing side?
The opposing side will usually argue that assembly fosters “unity” and “discipline.” You can counter this by saying that true discipline is shown in how we study and respect teachers in the classroom, not by how straight we stand in a line.
How do I start my debate speech?
The opening is the most important part. You need to grab the judges’ attention immediately. If you are stuck on how to begin, check out our collection of [best debate greetings for students] to find a catchy opening line.
Is it disrespectful to say assembly is a waste of time?
Not at all. In a debate, you are attacking the idea, not the people running the school. As long as your points are logical and polite, you are doing your job as a debater.
Conclusion / Summary
To wrap this up, the evidence is clear. Morning assembly is a waste of time because it steals valuable teaching hours, physically exhausts students before lessons, and relies on outdated methods of communication.
We go to school to learn, not to stand. It is time we prioritize our academic productivity over empty rituals.
All professions, traditions, and school activities have their value. This article is written solely for educational debate purposes to help students build critical thinking and public speaking skills.
What do you think? Do you hate standing on the assembly ground, or do you think it’s necessary? Drop your opinions in the comments section below… Also, feel free to share this post with your coursemates or those in your team!
