Democracy at school

Democracy at schoolThe school may be a perfect place to see theadvantages and disadvantages of democracy.

Every democratic government around the worldis different. Every school is also different.

Democracy at school

This is because of the varying circumstances ofgovernments, schools and institutions. The levelof democracy within each school or institutionvaries depending on individual circumstances.

How democratic a school should be?

Should students participate in makingdecisions that affect the whole school? Students

can be actively involved in making decisions that

affect their time at school but it is alsoimportant that they are taught the processes

involved in making good decisions.

Making good decisions

Everyone needs to be taught to question thereliability and validity of decisions and to offerconstructive criticism and alternatives. These,

and other skills, can be taught at schools.

How democratic a school should be?

It may be possible to participate in schooldecision-making bodies such as the schoolcouncil or the parents and citizens group toobserve the workings of democracy at your

school.

Making good decisionsFor a democracy to work, people need to

understand that there are viewpoints, solutionsor perspectives that may differ from their own.

The aim of a democracy is not to convertpeople to one view but rather to work together

to find a solution.

Democracy within a schoolThe way democracy works should be modelled

in a school community. Democratic nationsvalue tolerance, respect and a willingness to

learn from one another. These values also needto be taught in schools.

Democracy within a school

Not all decisions at schools can be made bystudents. As with governments, there needs tobe people who have the control to make the

final decisions. There are many constraints ondecision-makers.

Democracy within a schoolDecisions relating to the curriculum and what

needs to be taught and economic and budgetarydecisions may need to be made without the

democratic process taking place. There shouldbe a series of checks and balances that

apply to the decision-makers as there is in everydemocracy.

Democracy within a schoolThere are areas in which students should be

involved. Students need to take partin the establishment of school rules

and, to some extent, in the policing of them.

Democracy within a school

School rules, as with laws, should be fair andreasonable and students should be guided to

understand the importance of them and there are reasons for their existence.

Benefits of democracy at schools

The benefits of having a democratic school aremany. In a democratic school, all school

members are made to feel part of thecommunity. Democratic schools are diverse andstrong enough to accept individual differences.

Benefits of democracy at schools

Members of the school community, includingstudents, can influence decisions and policies by

signing petitions, writing to the schoolnewspaper or school council

The skills learned in schools can then be used forinfluencing government manners.

Democracy at our schoolOur school in Bulgaria has it’s own council

where students and teachers are sharing ideasand decide important manners about the whole

school. This way even the students have theopportunity to share their thoughts and views

on the situation.

Democratic education

Democratic education is an educational ideal inwhich democracy is both a goal and a method of

instruction. It brings democratic values toeducation and can include self-determinationwithin a community of equals, as well as such

values as justice, respect and trust.

Democratic education

Democratic education is often specificallyemancipatory, with the students' voices being

equal to the teacher's. The history ofdemocratic education spans from at least the

1600s and continues to be active by now.

Thank you for your attention!