Democracy in vocational schools - an innovative approach to student self-government
01.11.2022 - 30.04.2024
project targeted at
Youth
School
The Civis Polonus Foundation run a 2-year project to support civic education in vocational schools.
The aim of the project was to build democratic culture and civic engagement at the local level and to develop the civic competences of students of vocational schools by strengthening the democratic function of student self-governments.
The aim of the project was to build democratic culture and civic engagement at the local level and to develop the civic competences of students of vocational schools by strengthening the democratic function of student self-governments.
Project video
Project results
The project was aimed at students from vocational schools, as it is these students who are particularly in need of support in developing civic competences. Student self-government in vocational schools is marginalised and the number of hours of civic educaion is half that in secondary schools.
As a result, students from vocational schools are a group of young people who enter adult life with fewer opportunities for active participation in democracy.
The essence of the project is to develop a student self-government activity model adequate to the needs and everyday life of vocational schools, implement it in 6 schools in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship with the support of the project partner in Elbląg. The model was then disseminated at a national level.
Through the project the Civis Polonus Foundation wanted to reach out to the community of vocational schools and jointly develop such a model for the operation of student self-governments that will allow for better development of democratic and civic skills in practice and participation of all students in a given school in democratic procedures.
As part of the project activities:
As a result, students from vocational schools are a group of young people who enter adult life with fewer opportunities for active participation in democracy.
The essence of the project is to develop a student self-government activity model adequate to the needs and everyday life of vocational schools, implement it in 6 schools in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship with the support of the project partner in Elbląg. The model was then disseminated at a national level.
Through the project the Civis Polonus Foundation wanted to reach out to the community of vocational schools and jointly develop such a model for the operation of student self-governments that will allow for better development of democratic and civic skills in practice and participation of all students in a given school in democratic procedures.
As part of the project activities:
- we organised a conference to launch the project,
- we conducted a survey on the attitudes of young people from first-level vocational schools in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship concerning social and civic activity,
- we developed an innovative model of student self-government operation in vocational schools,
- we supported school teams in the implementation of the above model through training and individual meetings with teachers, headmasters and pedagogical councils,
- we piloted implementation of the above model by involving every student in the process of adopting SU rules and regulations, organising SU elections and undertaking grassroots initiatives at school.
Impact of the project
0
vocational schools
in which we have improved the functioning of student councils
0
students from vocational schools
who took part in the survey on young citizens' opinions and attitudes
0
teachers and teaching methodologists
with whom we shared our knowledge and experience during conferences and training sessions
Closing conference
On 19 April 2024, a conference summarising the project was held, dedicated to the development of social and civic competences among students of vocational schools, with particular emphasis on the role of student self-governance.
The Warmia and Mazury Teacher Training Centre in Elbląg was a partner of the conference. The event was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Centre for Education Development in Poland.
The conference was attended by, among others, headmasters, teachers and students from secondary schools, as well as invited guests: Deputy Minister of Education Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz, Dr Przemysław Sadura - Professor at the Institute of Sociology, University of Warsaw, and representatives of social organisations and teacher training centres.
During panel discussions and workshop parts, we discussed together how to strengthen the civic competences of secondary school students through actions at the local government level and state education policy. We also showed practical examples of how to create spaces for social and civic activity among young people.
The Warmia and Mazury Teacher Training Centre in Elbląg was a partner of the conference. The event was held under the Honorary Patronage of the Centre for Education Development in Poland.
The conference was attended by, among others, headmasters, teachers and students from secondary schools, as well as invited guests: Deputy Minister of Education Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz, Dr Przemysław Sadura - Professor at the Institute of Sociology, University of Warsaw, and representatives of social organisations and teacher training centres.
During panel discussions and workshop parts, we discussed together how to strengthen the civic competences of secondary school students through actions at the local government level and state education policy. We also showed practical examples of how to create spaces for social and civic activity among young people.
Fot. Marianna Kulesza
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Partners
Implemented as part of the Active Citizens - Regional Fund programme financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway from the EEA Funds.
The project partner was the Warmia and Mazury Teacher Training Centre in Elbląg.
The project partner was the Warmia and Mazury Teacher Training Centre in Elbląg.
