Question Time

The 2006 student producers join David Dimbleby on the set

Each of the 12 schools will now stage its own Question Time event in a bid to be part of a real BBC One programme.

David Dimbleby said: "The excellent response to this year's Challenge has shown the breadth of knowledge that young people have of the current political landscape."

"Global, national and local events are providing a compelling news agenda as finalists now prepare to stage their Schools Question Time events."

Past schools events devised by pupils have seen local politicians or celebrities take part in a debate.

David Dimbleby's role has been taken on by students or guests with one event being chaired by TV presenter Nicky Campbell.

The debates will be judged by the BBC and its partners for Schools Question Time, BT, the Times Educational Supplement and the Institute for Citizenship.

Each of the participating schools will be given a two-day workshop with BT's drama group to help them work as a team and learn more about organising events.

Four of the schools will win the right to nominate two pupils to join the BBC One production team to make a Question Time programme on 5 July.

The twelve schools who will stage events and compete for that right are:

Once the four finallists have been selected, the nominated students will meet the Question Time production team and begin planning the programme which goes out on 5 July.

They will help make key editorial decisions, take on production roles, such as editor, audience producers and panel producers.

"I am very much looking forward to working with the winning schools," said David Dimbleby who has worked with the student winners of Schools Question Time for the last three years.

"Their interests and concerns range from the impact of immigration, multiculturalism and climate change to political correctness, celebrity culture and the role of the media."

"They want answers and are not afraid to ask leading questions of those who wield political and economic power."

Last year the students decided they wanted a young member of the public as a panellist on the programme.

People aged 18 to 25 were invited to send in a video clip of themselves from their mobile phone.

Matt Pollard, a student from Exeter University became the first ever member of the general public to sit on the Question Time panel.

The making of Schools Question Time 2006

The Schools Question Time programme is the final product of a far wider education initiative with the goal of helping schools nationwide by supporting the citizenship curriculum, helping improve students' public speaking and listening skills, and engaging young people in society and politics.

All UK schools with pupils aged 14-19 are eligible to enter the annual Schools Question Time competition.

In the applications they are asked to describe the issues they would discuss during their ideal Question Time and the panel they would choose to discuss those issues.

This is the fourth year the event has been held.