The new policy on education has aroused fierce debate across the country.

fierce 是形容词，意思是"激烈的、猛烈的"，常用来形容争论、竞争或冲突的程度很高。这个词来自古法语，原指野生动物凶猛的本性，后来引申为形容各种强烈的状态或行为。