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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Student Councils.

Kathleen Lynch

Ceist:

77 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of second level schools which have established student councils in accordance with the terms of the Education Act 1998; the steps being taken to encourage other schools to establish such councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30916/03]

My Department has just completed a survey of all post-primary schools on this issue. Student councils have been established in 558 of the 743 schools surveyed. 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 had its origin in my Department's recognition that students have a voice and a contribution to make to their school. Student 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, Student Councils: a Voice for Students, provide practical guidance for school management, teachers and students on 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 students' representatives and all the partners in education. It 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. The working group will report on its findings and 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.

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