In the belief that young people need to grow up learning about democracy, I have spent my career in education working for democracy in schools – through student councils, parent councils and staff councils (What would you do if democracy was being dismantled before your eyes? Whatever you’re doing right now, 31 October).
It has been an uphill struggle. It is rare for student councils to be given the opportunity to discuss anything consequential about school issues or their own learning.
Parent councils – different from parent-teacher associations, which are mostly about fundraising – often struggle to attract parents. Parents generally want to talk about their own children, but are less keen to get involved in discussions about school policies. And school leaders seem reluctant to encourage the setting up of staff councils, worried about unleashing the voices of teachers, many of whom might have a lot to say about working conditions and an overloaded curriculum.
Of course, governing bodies exist, but it is a rare occurrence to see them genuinely consulting with any of these three constituencies.
As a consequence, schools in England are deeply undemocratic institutions where students, parents, carers and staff are done “to” rather than “with”. Until this changes and those with a stake in schools are involved in decision-making on issues that affect them, I hold out little hope that young people will leave school with an understanding of why democracy matters.
Fiona Carnie
Educationist and writer, Bath
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
