IF WE ARE to look forward to a vibrant political dialogue in our later years, it is vital that today’s schoolchildren are taught the value of democratic politics and the importance of civic participation. The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) welcomes recent efforts by students to voice their concerns with the education system, and the Department of Education and Skills’ proposal to introduce politics as Leaving Cert subject and also revamp the Civil, Social and political Education course at Junior Cycle.
Voices of Youth, a UNICEF global initiative with grassroots in Ireland, has made impressive inroads into promoting the interests of students in primary and post-primary education. In particular, efforts have focused on removing or reworking rules seen as “anachronistic” (like uniform, or the arbitrary banning of certain haircuts and jewellery) and promoting the role of the student in the day-to-day running of the school.
Whether you or I agree with their goals is irrelevant. To truly promote politics and citizenship, it’s vital that some form of democratic process be incorporated into the student body. While extra-curricular activities, like politics societies and activity groups, are extremely important in achieving this goal, for the real value of civic participation to be appreciated it’s important that schools offer decision-making roles to everyone. While logistics often supersede lofty ideals, even a vote on what food to serve at lunch times serves as a platform to encourage children of all ages to transform their thoughts with action.
Many schools have elected student representatives to serve as liaisons between their peers and the teaching staff, but oftentimes these roles are ceremonial gestures rather than real tools to affect democratic change.
More needs to be done to change this, and adults—teachers and parents alike—should not be afraid to give the youth some taste of civic responsibility and accountability. While every school is different, efficiency and overall quality of education stands to benefit from greater student input.
We can take advantage of the rapidly unfolding digital revolution, too. With internet access at schools, there’s a real chance for students to be pioneers of ‘e-democracy’, voting on school issues online, perhaps on some kind of internal discussion forum.
Let’s take a step further and imagine an online network of inter-connected schools, where students from different towns and cities can collaborate on issues that affect them all, like a lack of course choices or inadequate facilities.
I am privileged to sit on the National Executive Steering Committee 2014-15 of Comhairle na nÓg, the elected executive body of the Dáil na nÓg, the National Youth Parliament. Funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Youth Parliament brings 202 delegates together in an annual meeting to discuss pressing youth topics. In 2013, debate centred on mental health, specifically the stigma attached to mental disorders and the challenges faced by young people in accessing treatment and support.
An integral part of the Youth Parliament is the opportunity to propose and vote on recommendations for actions to improve the lives of Irish young people. The winning recommendation, as voted on by all delegates, forms the campaign basis of the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, consisting of representatives from each county and metropolitan area in Ireland. Previous executives have made presentations to the Joint Oireachtas Committees on Health and Children and Education and Social Protection.
A key result of the most recent Youth Parliament was the establishment of permanent liaisons with TDs and senators. This major victory will see elected student delegates meeting Oireachtas politicians on a monthly basis in an effort to better highlight youth issues within the Dáil and the Seanad.
The Youth Parliament isn’t a monopoly on student politics. The NAPD actively encourages schools and student bodies from every county to come together and discuss the issues that they deem important in councils and parliaments of their own creation.
The Irish are often accused of being politically apathetic—prone to complaining, but not acting. This needn’t be the case. I have witnessed first-hand the stalwart dedication of civically engaged young people. With the right support, we can raise a new generation of politically aware citizens eager to reinvigorate the electorate.
Clive Byrne is the Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).
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