Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 2

Written Answers. - Student Councils.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

107 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps his Department is taking to support the establishment of student councils in second level schools, in accordance with the terms of the Education Act 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26484/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Under section 27 of the Education Act 1998 students in a post-primary school may establish a student council whose role is to promote the involvement of students in the affairs of the school in co-operation with the board of management, parents and teachers. This development originated in my Department's recognition that students have a voice and a contribution to make to their school and these councils can play an integral and important role in the school community by providing a representative structure through which students can debate issues of concern and undertake initiatives of benefit to the school and the wider community.

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 relation to the establishment and operation of student councils.

Officials of my Department are participating in a working group on student councils, which was established earlier this year by the National Children's Office. The working group is comprised of representative of students and all the partners in education and will work to encourage the establishment of effective and democratic student councils in all second level schools in the country.

The working group will examine the number, composition and operation of existing student councils in second level schools and will seek to identify the barriers, if any, to the establishment of student councils. The group had its inaugural meeting on 24 June 2003 and has met twice since then. The working group will report on its findings, including a proposed three year strategy to support the establishment and development of student councils, to my colleague the Minister of State with special responsibility for children by December 2004.