Student representation

Press, 1 September 1989, Page 12

Student representation

Sir,—You report (August 30) the views of Mr Zane Kidd, principal of Christchurch Boys’ High School, regarding student representation on boards of trustees. He thinks they have the potential to inhibit frank and free discussion. He thinks they have “no particular expertise to contribute.” Full representation in a school — students included — is, in fact, a guarantee of frank and free discussion. That is, discussion open to all and free from the tendency to push hidden agendas and top-down decisions. As to a lack of expertise and educational knowledge among students, rubbish! By high school, students have years of educational experience. The opportunity to participate in decisions affecting their education is to be fostered, not throttled. Mr Kidd ignores the necessary connection between education and democracy. — Yours, etc., JOHN FREEMAN-MOIR. August 30, 1989.

Sir,—l am astounded at Mr Zane Kidd’s comments suggesting that student representatives on boards of trustees “had the potential to inhibit frank and free discussion” and “had no particular expertise to contribute.” As a teacher, I welcome the idea of student input and recognise that student representatives have a very real area of expertise; that of providing an essential perspective — some would argue the only real perspective — bn school life. Regarding the inhibition of discussion, the only matters, I feel, to which students should not be privy, are perhaps those relating to teacher discipline. Many schools have operated under such a system for years before “Tomorrow’s Schools” made it a requirement That student representation should be optional is a disturbing thought for it would seem likely that schools most in heed; of student representation would be without it If Mr Kidd is suggesting. that having students on boards of trustees works well only in some schools then surely

the other schools need to examine why it is not working for them.? — Yours, etc., J. A. DONALD. August 30, 1989.

Sir,—l am a pupil in the fifth form at Christchurch Boys’ High School, and I am outraged by Mr Kidd’s attitude to student representatives. His comment that “students had no particular expertise to contribute” is untrue. Student representatives are there to express the views of the majority of school users — the students. Not having student representatives would be like having an electoral system where 90 per cent of the population were not allowed to vote. It would be undemocratic and would result in the views of a minority being forced upon everyone. The reason why student representatives are ignorant of meeting procedure and have only limited knowledge of education matters is because most students do not have a chance to learn about these things. If students were allowed to take a more active role in the running of schools they would know more about these things. It is my opinion that student representatives should remain on boards of trustees. — Yours, etc.,

; MALCOLM HARBROW. August 30, 1989.