Pupils give O'Keeffe a lesson on democracy in action [Examiner]
- Published: 19 May 2009
Source: Examiner
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
THE country's youngest student council showed a government minister how to keep democracy moving when he came to visit yesterday.
The eight junior and senior infants at St Patrick's Infant National School help staff formulate policy on important matters such as litter management, school yard games, and the content of lunches.
"We meet after school to discuss school issues," they explained to Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe, who had come to raise the school's Green Flag for environmental awareness.
The individual members then explained how the green flag committee was formed by pupils and helped to review the school's litter and waste, before drawing up a plan to tackle litter.
Enthralled by the young decision makers' confidence, he suggested they might be able to give himself and some of his government colleagues a few ideas.
"I notice you have two divisions within your council, a yes and a no side. That is very much like what we have in the Dáil. When we say no we mean yes but we vote no ; sometimes," Mr O'Keeffe said.
Resource teacher Bríd Moynihan, who helps co-ordinate the student council meetings, said they bring a children's perspective to issues staff might not always think of.
"We were going to put new recycling bins in the corridor last year but they reminded us that children might bang their heads if they brushed past them.
"They also helped to decide changes to our school lunches recently," she said.
The council evolved from a green flag committee set up at the 154-pupil school two years ago to promote good environmental practice.
Principal Anne Hegarty also welcomed the minister to the school's interactive library, where children have internet access to educational games and activities, funded through the Government's Dormant Accounts Fund.
