WHAT DOES DEMOCRACY MEAN TO YOU? 23 4. Student clubs and societies


Another way to have a say on issues or decisions that affect you is to join (or start!) a club or society. Clubs and societies can ask to address student councils or even boards of management to help inform the school as a whole around issues they care about. Some examples of clubs or societies that could help you have a say are:


• a human rights society • an environmental action society • a LGBTI+ society • a feminist/gender equality society • the Model United Nations • a Club Gaeilge.


EXPLORE


A TRULY DEMOCRATIC SCHOOL


In groups or pairs, discuss what changes could be made to how your school is run to make it more democratic, with students having as much say in decisions as anyone else.


• Make three suggestions for rule changes that you feel would definitely happen if students had a vote.


• What concerns, if any, would you have about giving students more say in decisions? Is there a chance that decisions might be made which would not be positive for the school?


Visit http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/ to find out what a fully ‘democratic school’ looks like in practice. THIS TOPIC AND YOU


Put the following list in order of decision-making power in your school, from 1 (most power) to 5 (least power).


• Teachers • Parents • Students


• Board of management • Principal and deputy principal(s)


How high did you place students on the list? Give three reasons why you chose that placement.


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