Students ‘failing to tackle issues’

STUDENTS do not have a proper system to tackle problems such bullying, drug abuse and underage drinking, the Union of Secondary Students (USI) said yesterday.

Union president Emer Ní Chúagáin said a recent Department of Education survey suggesting almost 600 of the country’s 750 second-level schools had their own student council to deal with these issues was misleading.

Most secondary schools do not have a council despite provisions in law six years ago.

“Some of those might be just schools with a prefect system, but which do not have an elected council. We are aware that something between 250 and 400 schools have a council, but it’s unclear how effective all of them are,” she said.

“Students need a forum in school to communicate their feelings and work on initiatives such as anti-bullying, drug abuse and underage drinking campaigns, which are more effective if run by student councils,” she said.

The 1998 Education Act includes the right to set up democratic student councils and a National Youth Council of Ireland study in 2001 found that at least 200 second-level schools had a council. However, principals were responsible for setting up the council in more than 75% of those schools and almost one-third of students said their council was not very useful.

Children’s Minister Brian Lenihan yesterday launched a campaign to encourage students in every school to set up a council. Leaflets will be sent to all schools around the country and a website has also been set up to help students get started.

“The message to our youth is clear, we want you involved, we want to hear from you,” he said.

The campaign is being run by the National Children’s Office student council working group, which includes 11 second-level students. This is the first time that school-goers are equal participants in such a Government body.

Mildred Brannigan of the Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said that, through councils, students can take an active part in decision-making.

“Schools with effective student councils are good for teachers and students because they have a culture of respect for rights and responsibilities,” she said.

The working group is preparing research to identify barriers to the establishment of student councils, measures needed to encourage councils being set up and recommend training and materials.

They will present a report, including a three-year strategy on the issue, to Mr Linehan by June 2005.