My Department has recently 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 originated in my Department's recognition that students have a voice and contribution to make to their school. 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.
My Department issued comprehensive guidelines on student councils to all second level schools in 2002. These provide practical guidance to 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 that was established in June 2003 by the National Children's Office. The group comprises representatives 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 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 National Children's Office has recently invited tenders for the appointment of a researcher to support the work of the working group. The 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.