You are the Chief Speaker in a debate on the topic: The youths of today are more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than in academic work. Write your spe...

The Chairman, the accurate timekeeper, the panel of impartial judges, my co-debaters, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. I stand before you to speak in support of the motion that the youths of today are more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than in academic work.

My first and strongest point is the way our youths spend their time. Walk into any neighbourhood in the evening and you will find young people glued to social media, video games and endless entertainment, while their books gather dust. The time that should be devoted to private study is squandered on parties, night clubs and the chasing of fashion. A person who values learning does not treat it as a spare-time affair.

Secondly, the values that our youths celebrate today are pleasure-driven. The heroes of many young people are not scholars, inventors or scientists but musicians, celebrities and those who flaunt wealth of doubtful origin. When a society worships enjoyment rather than knowledge, it is no surprise that its young ones prize pleasure above the classroom.

Thirdly, examination malpractice, which has become alarmingly widespread, is itself proof of my case. Why do candidates cheat? It is because they crave the reward of a certificate without the discipline and hard work that learning demands. The love of ease and pleasure has replaced the love of genuine study.

Some may argue that a few youths still excel in their studies, and I do not deny it. But we are speaking of the general trend, not the rare exception. For every diligent student, there are many more who would rather be entertained than educated.

Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence is clear. The way our youths spend their time, the values they hold and the shortcuts they take all point in one direction. It is on these grounds that I urge this house to agree with me that the youths of today are indeed more interested in the pursuit of pleasure than in academic work.

Thank you for listening.