Students ‘need say in school policies’

PUPILS must be given a voice in the development of school behaviour policies, Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan said at the weekend.

She told the National Parents Council-Primary (NPC-P) annual conference that education legislation places no obligation on schools to consult with young people in developing codes of behaviour.

“In my experience, deviancy is less likely to occur when students feel ownership of their environment, take an active role in the monitoring of their school, and where there is a peer environment which does not favour bad behaviour,” she said.

She suggested greater student involvement in development and monitoring of codes of behaviour, supporting genuine participation channels for students in schools and the development of fair and transparent complaint procedures.

During her first year in the job, Ms Logan has received around a dozen complaints about student behaviour towards fellow students or their teachers.

One of the Children’s Ombudsman’s key aims is to increase young people’s contributions to decisions affecting them. But, she said, there is still adult apprehension about such child participation because of a fear of handing over power.

She cited comments from a group of teenagers in Darndale in Dublin who told her that adults don’t listen to them because “they think we’re only kids”.

The Children’s Ombudsman can review complaints from young people or adults, but only after the public agency or school involved has processed it first. Anybody who wishes to make a complaint or inquire about doing so can contact the ombudsman’s office at 1890-654-654 or by e-mailing [e-mail].