From a thorough investigation of the state of affairs in schools across the world, what comes out rather clearly is that decisions are being made irrespective of the opinions of ‘the stakeholders’, the students.
The result of such a lack of participation from students makes them feel like mere spectators of their education. By not allowing them to participate in policy-making within the school, they get detached from it. It becomes difficult for them to have any attachment or motivation in their school life.
The article talks about all aspects of why it is important to involve students in the decision-making process.
Importance of Giving Students a Voice in Their Education
- Management of a school is a procedure involving a combination of structured policies with active participation of the students so as to create a conducive learning atmosphere. Inviting the views of the students in the learning process motivates them and makes them feel more valuable and participatory.
- In other words, when the views of the students are not considered by the schools, most students become disinterested in all the activities since everything is imposed upon them rather than constructed through their participation.
- That is why the experts believe that the involvement of students in decision-making processes creates stronger bonds with the community of the institution. It makes students more motivated to participate in different programs and projects.
- Nevertheless, there are some difficulties in the implementation of the process of student-led initiatives. There are school administrations that do not want to delegate any responsibility to students due to the fear of their resistance or immaturity in the process of making decisions. There are also those who cannot find the balance between student opinion and their institutional goals, which results in postponement or lack of effect.
- If students realize that their voice is valued, they become more participative, proactive and responsible about their learning path. That is why it is important for schools to maintain some balance in the process of students’ participation in the decision-making process.
The Benefits of Student Involvement in Decision-Making
Promotes a Sense of Belonging
If a student is allowed to participate in the decisions made in the institution, they get a sense of connection with their surrounding learning environment.
When an institution involves students in conversations related to policies, events, and classroom activities, then they will no longer consider themselves as bystanders who just have to follow the set rules. They will actually get involved in making things happen in their institution and take responsibilities as well.
When their views shape change, they feel valued, understanding that their viewpoints hold equal value to those of educators and educational managers. Without such feeling of participation, many students find themselves overlooked, which results in feelings of neglect and indifference toward school activities.
As one can clearly see, the schools that place great importance on participation of their students show increased levels of participation, cooperation and positive atmosphere. Students who understand that their voice carries weight take part actively and cooperate, contributing to the atmosphere at their school.
Boosts Motivation and Responsibility
A school is an institution where the community comes together with the sense of responsibility, and the participation of the students is ideal to have such a mentality.
Since students will be participating in the decision-making process, they not only obey rules but they also get involved in making rules. In doing so, they become more motivated because they see that the decisions they take affect their schools. When students generate ideas related to school activities, policies, or teaching methods, and see that they are implemented,
they start controlling their education themselves.
Students need to be held accountable for their behavior. As a school administrator, you may know that it is only once the students realise that their behavior has consequences not only for themselves but also for their friends that they begin to hold themselves accountable for their decisions.
Once they are involved in the design of the school project or suggestion for improvement of the learning environment, then they take on the responsibility of making wise decisions.
The students will automatically learn the importance of being accountable once they realize that their input will result in action being taken on their opinions.
Prepares Students for Democratic Participation
It is quite obvious that school education influences not only academic competencies of a student but also forms a basis for his or her societal engagement.
Involvement of a student in decision-making is one way of teaching him or her what participation in a community means – the necessity to consider various points of view while making a decision. In this way, participating in discussion of any kind of school policy, in the work of a student council, in planning events, he/she learns what a society means.
In presenting one’s opinion, in arguing, and in voting, he/she learns communication, problem-solving, and negotiating skills which will be required from him/her in reality.
Think for a minute and try to imagine what will happen without this kind of involvement! Many students may grow into adults without knowing how decisions affect the greater community. Do you agree?
Active participation in school governance enables them to appreciate the importance of participation, hence increasing the chances of participating in their civic responsibilities such as voting, volunteering or working in leadership positions. Once they realise that their voices have power, they speak out, act and consider the needs of all and not themselves.
Whereas schools that value student involvement create smart people, taking another step forward, they end up creating responsible citizens who value their environment!
Reduces Behavioural Issues
Whenever you do something out of necessity without understanding why you do it, you get frustrated. This way you create a discipline problem in yourself. This is a matter of human nature.
The involvement of the students in the decision-making process transforms it into something quite different because the students actually have a chance to voice their opinion concerning their own educational institution. Students who come up with the regulations are not going to see them as arbitrary limitations; they understand why these regulations exist and they accept them. Being involved, they become more prone to following these regulations knowing that they had a hand in making them.
Instead of perceiving the policies of the school as an imposition, they will feel involved and participating in decision-making that benefits everybody. When the students discuss issues related to the behavioral norms and conflict resolution in the school, they understand what discipline is about.
According to research, student participation leads to fewer disciplinary issues. Students will feel that they belong to the organization; therefore, they will feel appreciated, respected and responsible for caring for the environment. If individuals choose to do the right thing, they will be automatically responsible.
This results in a school that respects its teachers and students. Teachers will hear students, and students will hear teachers. This will assist schools in developing a disciplinary program that will be a joint effort.
Enhances Transparency in School Governance
Transparency occurs when students engage in conversations related to school policies, budgets, and even event planning, and have insight into how things work at school. The lack of transparency and involvement results in rumors and students feeling disconnected from the process, which causes dissatisfaction.
Students’ inclusion in the process eliminates this feeling since students will understand that the decision-makers do not control the process for the sake of controlling it, but make decisions that help everybody.
The students who engage in the process of governance gain valuable skills in being honest and accountable, which come handy in their adult life as well. Without transparency, students usually think that there is bias and unfairness in decision making and create conflicts.
The schools that promote active participation of students create an environment in which students are not only obedient but also knowledgeable about the rules they have to abide by.
Develops Leadership Skills
One cannot develop confidence in one night but the participation of the student in decision making will help in building up his or her confidence. Here is how this process takes place.
While students discuss school rules, club membership, teams, and ways of solving problems, most of the time they do it like leaders without knowing that.
By discussing with their teachers and fellow students, they learn to communicate effectively, take into consideration all points of view, and back their decision. By solving problems rather than taking orders, they become independent thinkers who have faith in their decisions.
Furthermore, making decisions forces people to look for solutions to their own problems rather than waiting for somebody to help them. Students learn how to propose, negotiate, and be responsible for the decisions made since they cannot blame the school policy and its results. By seeing how good leadership does not consist in always having an answer but rather in looking for a solution, the young people become resistant through this process.
As soon as words are valued, the youth’s self-confidence will grow, and they will stop questioning whether what they say and do makes any difference or not. They will carry those lessons into their adult lives and be proactive in their workplace and other social groups.
In this regard, it is about more than enhancing school. It is about educating tomorrow’s leaders who will have the courage and skills to deal with problems and make decisions, having tested their efficiency! The world needs leaders, not celebrities!
Engaging Students in Decision-Making through a Unified System
Education indeed begins and ends with textbooks. However, it contributes to making the students ready for the world out there. And this is where a unified School Management System comes into play to create that bridge between the management and the learners. When the learners participate in decision-making, they get the feeling of belongingness, responsibility, and meaning. It is essential that when buying your School Management System, you should verify whether you get the feature. It will not pose any issue for you if you work with an industry expert.
