Vol. 568 No. 2
159 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the second level schools that have established student councils; the encouragement he is giving to schools to establish such student councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16115/03]
My Department does not maintain a register of schools which have student councils. However, in January 2001, the National Youth Council of Ireland published the results of a nationwide survey of second level students and principals examining their views on student participation in school decision making and student councils.
At the time of the survey there were 752 second level schools in the country and all of these received a questionnaire. The principals of 300 second level schools completed the questionnaire. Of the schools which responded to the survey, 66% had a student council. The majority of these councils were established since 1997.
In 2002 my Department issued comprehensive guidelines on student councils to all second level schools. The guidelines entitled Student Councils: A Voice for Students provide practical guidance to school management, teachers and students in the establishment and operation of student councils.
Officials of my Department will shortly participate in a working group on student councils to be established by the National Children's Office. The working group will examine the establishment of student councils in second level schools and will include representation from the partners in education and from the student population. The group will have its inaugural meeting on 24 June 2003.
