Student councils play a key part in preparing students to be active global citizens by serving as an introduction to democracy and giving them a voice in the decision-making process. As Brene Brown stipulates, “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; it’s choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast or easy; and it’s practising your values, not just professing them.” Student councils act as platforms for preparing our students to be responsible citizens in their current communities and in their futures in the wider world. As Aristotle famously said, “man is by nature a political animal.” The following activities will help promote active citizenship within student councils.
Before engaging in any activity that involves exchanging ideas and making suggestions, it is essential that students know how to follow simple rules, be good listeners, and be good speakers. Holding workshops with explicit interactive lessons on establishing and following meeting protocols will set students on the right path to be respectful of other ideas and, in the long term, to be active citizens. Many different protocols are available, such as the Harvard Thinking Routine Toolbox.
Student councils are an integral part of students’ voice in schools. To ensure a democratically elected council, it’s essential to clarify the election process, define the responsibilities of the executive officers, and outline the council’s role within the school.
Holding public debates, promoting candidates' programs, and allowing candidates to deliver speeches are essential for ensuring the elected officers remain accountable to their peers. Additionally, inviting an elected public figure to speak to students before the elections can have a powerful impact in providing a strong example.
Establishing a two-tier system within student councils can enhance student representation and engagement. This structure includes both an executive tier and a representative tier.
By having class representatives and house captains, the student council can grant more autonomy to students at the ground level. Extending the roles of these representatives allows executive officers to gain valuable insights from their peers while effectively communicating important questions and decisions to all classes.
Class representatives serve as the face and voice of the student council, ensuring that the diverse perspectives of their classmates are heard. It's essential to include neurodiverse students in this system, as their experiences and viewpoints contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the student body’s needs. By prioritizing inclusivity, the council can foster a more equitable environment where every student feels represented and valued.
Town halls are effective ways for the student councils to gauge students' views on specific issues, fostering open dialogue and allowing concerns to be voiced. It is, however, essential not to fall in the pitfall of having surveys without follow up.
Communication with the leadership team is important; there should be a clear response from the Principal, but this doesn’t mean that every student request will be acted upon. Students need to understand that democracy doesn’t guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled. Students should understand that democracy involves deliberation and compromise. Educating them about this process fosters a more realistic view of civic engagement and prepares them for active participation in broader democratic processes.
In any democracy, leaders are expected to be accountable, and student councils should uphold this principle as well. They are responsible for hosting open forums where the senior leadership team (i.e., Principal or Head of School) can address students' questions and concerns, fostering trust and transparency within the school community.
Additionally, student councils should meet regularly with the Principal to discuss issues and share insights from their peers. This collaboration enhances communication and ensures the Principal stays informed about the student body's needs. It is also essential for student councils to relay the outcomes of these meetings and forums back to the student body. By sharing decisions and actions taken based on student input, councils reinforce their commitment to accountability and encourage ongoing participation, creating a more vibrant and inclusive school community.
6. Ensure the transparency of student council meetings.
In keeping with accountability, the student council should offer transparency with meetings and discussions, making the minutes accessible to all school stakeholders, much like how laws are published in official journals. Transparency is vital for building trust within the school community. Class representatives can share weekly minutes by reading them aloud in advisory classes, publishing them on the student hub, displaying them on notice boards, and posting them on the school website. This openness not only keeps everyone informed but also encourages greater student engagement in the council’s activities.
7. Involve student councils in training about restorative practices.
Research shows that participating in peer mediation training equips students with valuable skills for their lives beyond the classroom and has a significant impact on how they resolve conflicts at home. Launching a peer mediation and restorative practice program, where selected students serve as mediators, helps develop the attributes of a global citizen by enhancing essential problem-solving and communication skills. Once students successfully complete the training, they can mediate conflicts as they arise. Additionally, having the student council act as mediators will serve as a positive example for their peers.
In conclusion, student councils are an integral part of students’ voice within a school. It is, in essence, the very first contact students will have with a democratically elected body and, consequently, their first step of being active responsible citizens within the microcosm of their school and community.
References
“Dare to Lead Hub - Brené Brown.” Brene Brown, https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/. Accessed 24 July 2024.
“PZ's Thinking Routines Toolbox | Project Zero.” Project Zero, https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines. Accessed 24 July 2024.
Rackham, H. Aristotle, Politics, Book 1, section 1253a, https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0058%3Abook%3D1%3Asection%3D1253a. Accessed 24 July 2024.
Brown, Brene. (2018). Dare to Lead. New York, NY: Random House.
https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines
Isabelle Wolfe is the modern languages subject leader, head of Grade 9, and student councils coordinator at the International School of Aberdeen in Scotland.
X: @Isawolfe04