In the Philippines, the people have the power to choose their leaders and recently, we just elected our new president together with the new government officials. It was considered as the biggest election ever held in Philippine history as almost 65 million people are registered as voters. According to the COMELEC, more than half or these voters are millennial people, known as the generation of young and bright minds. Because of this, we can consider that governance is a crucial issue when it comes to the younger generation. Thus the school, as an educational institution, plays an important role in nurturing and implanting the essence of governance amongst the young.
Establishing student governments is one initiative that schools implement to nurture governance among their students. In all types of school, student government provides students with fantastic opportunities to become involved in the operations of their institutions. Students who join in their student governments have access to a number of personal and professional rewards as well as possibilities both within and outside of the classroom.
Student government also gives students the idea and feels on how huge scale governance works. It gives them awareness that their political right is important and powerful. For an instance, students who choose to be leaders may experience how to maintain peace in order in school which is an important characteristic of a leader. It aids them develop a sense of moral responsibility for themselves and their community. Also, it helps them to know that as young people, they have the power and right to speak and be heard. A student can also learn how to analyze the needs of his/her fellow students which ultimately leads to creating plans and projects for the school. Thus, it is very important for schools to give student leaders a huge participation in school planning and projects as this can shape them to become leaders someday.
Furthermore, through student governments, non-student leaders can also learn a lot about governance. Student governments can help students nurture a genuine respect to the law and order when they see its importance in the betterment of their school. It can also sharpen their eyes in choosing which leaders are more rightful and honest. In our country, a lot of our citizens are having difficulties in choosing leaders because they do not have the proper knowledge and the keen eye to see the right one. With the proper practice of student governments, it is likely that young people will develop the knowledge and eye in choosing more proper candidates.
It is usual for students to think that student governments are not important. But with the right way of support and practice by schools, it is highly possible that school governments will really serve its function, especially in today’s time where young voters are prevalent than ever.
References
ASO Staff Writers. (2021, April 15). Student Government in High School & College. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from Accredited School Online: https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/student-government/
Texas Association of Student Councils. (2022). Student Council Overview. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from TASC Online: https://www.tasconline.org/what-is-a-student-council-
By: Darrel A. Mina|Teacher I|Cataning Elementary School|Balanga City, Bataan
