Year 9 and 10 students from the four high schools in the local government area will take part in the challenge.

The promotion and celebration of the academic achievement of the young people of our LGA is vitally important to the future of our area, according to Mayor of Cessnock, Cr. Alison Davey.

"Our young people are our future and education is a key component of that future," Cr. Davey said.

"We are fortunate in the Cessnock LGA to have outstanding primary and secondary schools, two TAFE campuses and we are within reach of the University of Newcastle – all these make possible the achievement of educational excellence.

"Cessnock Council has, for many years now, supported the Mayoral Academic Scholarships and the Mayoral Academic Challenge and this year it gives me great pleasure to announce a new event to promote our young people – the Mayoral Academic High School Debate."

Two topics will be debated tomorrow with the winning teams meeting next Wednesday to debate another topic.

Cessnock City Council wishes to thank the debate’s sponsors, Rover Motors and Cessnock Achievement Centre.