student parliament in function of training for democratic action

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(IJCRSEE) International Journal of Cognitive Research in Science, Engineering and Education

Vol. 2, No.1, 2014.

www.ijcrsee.com97

Abstract: Macedonia aspires to join the European

developed countries and it certainly requires a relentless

pursuit and persistent hard work in every segment of life

especially in the area of education as a initiator of devel-

opment and modernization of life in general. Changesconcerning education certainly that include the school

as an institution that organized manner, specied formsand methods training and preparing young people for

life and work in more developed and democratic soci-ety. I believe that education as a social category shouldalways be updated with social change and of course thatin a democratic society should be democratic education.

Democratization of society requires and democratization

of the school, which in turn inevitably overemphasizesindividually oriented model of education. Only with such

a model of education can apply the principles of humanity,

individuality, diversity education and respect for of thepersonal interests of students. Within the democratic life

in school and preparing young people for democratic lifeand the need for a working of student parliaments, con-temporary school and the characteristics of that school,are one of the basic things about functioning of the demo-

cratic life of the school. Democratization of educationis not a new and unfamiliar requirement in developingcountries as well as in our country. Since the beginning of

the independence of the Republic of Macedonia is talking

about the democratization of education, upbringing fordemocracy, the basis for democracy, civil education, etc..

Still until today still do not get comprehensive researchrelevant to this issue. Young people are not sufciently

prepared for democratic behavior, working and living in

a democratic society.Keywords: Democratization of education,

Upbringing for democracy, Student parliaments, Indi-

vidually oriented model of education.

INTRODUCTION

Within the democratization of schoolas the educational institution certainly shouldemphasize the importance of establishing and

operating the school or student parliamentsin schools. The said parliament should betraining and preparing young people to livetogether and act in a democratic manner anddemocratic society.

Thus, students parliaments would beformed by representatives of students fromdifferent departments and one representativefrom each generation department, a represen-tative of the parent council, a local govern-ment representative and two representativesfrom the management of the school. So the

Parliament will consist of representatives ofstudents, representatives of the governingparty or by the school authorities, parents andrepresentatives of local government. A studentrepresentatives would be chosen through freeelections to be organized by the school in col-laboration with students and representatives of(local education government). So during the

pre-election students would prepare variouspamphlets and other promotional materialsthrough which anyone can promote their can-didate and student interests that they seek, andto defend them. The same should be realized

and other representatives who would be mem-bers of parliament. I`d should specify, date,day of voting, when students will vote freelyfor electoral lists for classmate, and represen-tative in who believe will represent and defendtheir interests and needs of the dignied way .

Along student parliaments, schoolsshould have a school magazine, where stu-dents would have organized, edited and pub-lish in collaboration with school leadership. Inthe magazine they can write for various stu-dent problems, interests, developments, needs;

thus it comes to creative expression activity ofstudents and the culture of writing, the desirefor writing to promote student afnities and

STUDENT PARLIAMENT IN FUNCTION OF TRAINING FOR

DEMOCRATIC ACTION

Dr. Rabije Murati, Faculty of PhilosophyDepartment of Pedagogy, State University of Tetova, Macedonia

E-mail:[email protected]: May, 21.2014.Accepted: May, 31.2014.

Studies and articlesUDK 37.035

Corresponding Author

Rabije Murati, Faculty of Philosophy, Department ofPedagogy, State University of Tetova, MacedoniaE-mail:[email protected]
mailto:rabije-murati%40hotmail.com%0D?subject=mailto:rabije-murati%40hotmail.com%0D?subject=


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wakes student interest in life and work in ademocratic society.

Primary objectives of the existence ofstudent parliaments are:

1. Promoting healthy relationships inthe school and the development of democratic

procedures;2. Developing a critical view of events

and occurrences in school and outside ofschool;

3. Resolution for true social values andcivilization;

4. Develop a culture of dialogue,encouraging the development of true toleranceand solidarity;

5. Raising awareness of the balancebetween rights and obligations;

6. Actively participate in the educa-

tional activities in the school;7. Initiation and implementation of theiractions in science, culture, sports and otheractivities of interest to students in the school;

8. Developing collaboration with teach-ers, school boards, councils of parents andschool administrators.

To achieve their goals the student parlia-ments, will address the following tasks, suchas:

1. Active participation of students in the

process of self-evaluation in the school;2. Improving the school sections, clubs,organizations, companies and other forms ofstudent organizations;

3. Organize numerous forms of scien-tic, cultural, sports and other expressions ofthe students;

4. Collaboration with the school, teach-ers and other school authorities;

5. Vote on key issues related to thecurriculum;

6. Organizing activities aimed at raisingfunds to nance the work of peers (representa-

tives) of the Parliament;7. Organization of charitable and

humanitarian activities in the school;8. Organizing other activities that con-

tribute to the modernization and democratiza-tion of the school.

If you look at what has been said above,I think that the basic task of pupils or studentsParliament Assembly would develop democ-racy, exercise and protection of students, anddevelop cooperation with other similar organi-

zations whether they are from the same city orbeyond and other cities. As for student parlia-ments, I think they should exist ranging from

elementary school, and secondary and facultyor universities where they can consider stu-dent problems, needs and requirements.

Therewith student parliaments will beused as a tool to measure how school is, as itallows young people to be tolerant, equal andcertainly active.

If we analyze the educational laws ofthe Republic of Serbia, it can be noted that theexistence and establishment of student gov-ernment in Serbia are regulated by law.

A magazine issued by the Ministry ofEducation and Sports of the Republic of Serbiain 2005 asked what the school parliament is,species that: the idea is for students to gatherin and to self organized to take part in schooldecision is precisely the idea of the existenceof the pupils parliaments.In the second half

of the last century there were student commu-nities in the level of sections that were not soactive, a word which was heard and decidedin the school department. Student parliamentsare regarded as mini versions of state assem-

blies, which sit representatives of students tosolve questions about their school. Relying onthe law in the Republic of Serbia, students willthemselves decide when to establish a school

parliament according to the need. But bodiessuch as school principal, counselor, psycholo-gist, and teachers can be founders of the stu-

dent or school parliaments. But ideal schoolParliament should be a set of representativesof the majority of school classes, representa-tives of their colleagues who will trust andgive condence to represent their interestsin school Parliament. (DX magazin, 2005,Izmjeri kolu da li je po tvojoj mjeri).

As for the legal regulation of the forma-tion and functioning of a school parliamentin Serbia, you can quote part of the PrimaryEducation published in the Ofcial Gazette ofthe Republic of Serbia, no. 62/2003, 64/2003,58/2004 and 62/2004, which states:

Article 98 of the law states that:In the last two grades of primary schools

and secondary schools can be organized forstudent government:

1. Opinion and suggestions of profes-sional bodies , school boards, parents counciland director rules of behavior in school, theannual program of work, school development

plan, free and extracurricular activities, par-ticipation in sports and other competitions;

2. Review of the relationship andcooperation student - teacher, educator or an

associate;3. Informing the student about issuesof particular interest and importance to their


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education.The Parliament consists of two repre-

sentatives from each department in the school,while in art school three representatives fromeach department or year.

Parliament is elected every year and hasa president. The program of work of parlia-ment is part of the annual program of work ofthe school. Student parliaments of all schoolscan join together in communities of student

parliament.

CONCLUSION

From everything said above it can bepossible to conclude that the Republic ofMacedonia should regulate by law that gov-

erns the establishment and operation of studentparliaments, including elementary schools.The existence of student parliaments should

be the Democratic response for the time andthe demands of a modern and democraticaction and work in a democratic school. Acti-vation of the young from an early age in dem-ocratic life and work, will certainly contributeto a developed and democratic society and theDemocratic relations between individuals.

Conict of interests

Authors declare no conict of interest.

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DX magazin, (2005). Uimo i ivimo demokratiju.Beograd.

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student parliament in function of training for democratic action

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