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STUDENT PARLIAMENT IN FUNCTION OF TRAINING FOR
DEMOCRATIC ACTION
Dr. Rabije Murati, Faculty of Philosophy Department of Pedagogy, State University of Tetova, Macedonia E-mail: rabije-murati@hotmail.com
Received: May, 21.2014. Accepted: May, 31.2014. Studies and articles UDK 37.035
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 development and modernization of life in general. Changes concerning education certainly that include the school as an institution that organized manner, specified forms and methods training and preparing young people for life and work in more developed and democratic society. I believe that education as a social category should always be updated with social change and of course that in a democratic society should be democratic education. Democratization of society requires and democratization of the school, which in turn inevitably overemphasizes individually oriented model of education. Only with such a model of education can apply the principles of humanity, individuality, diversity education and respect for of the personal interests of students. Within the democratic life in school and preparing young people for democratic life and the need for a working of student parliaments, contemporary school and the characteristics of that school, are one of the basic things about functioning of the democratic life of the school. Democratization of education is not a new and unfamiliar requirement in developing countries 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 for democracy, the basis for democracy, civil education, etc.. Still until today still do not get comprehensive research relevant to this issue. Young people are not sufficiently prepared for democratic behavior, working and living in a democratic society.
Keywords: Democratization of education, Upbringing for democracy, Student parliaments, Individually oriented model of education.
Corresponding Author
Rabije Murati, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Pedagogy, State University of Tetova, Macedonia E-mail: rabije-murati@hotmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Within the democratization of school as the educational institution certainly should emphasize the importance of establishing and operating the school or student parliaments in schools. The said parliament should be training and preparing young people to live together and act in a democratic manner and democratic society.
Thus, students' parliaments would be formed by representatives of students from different departments and one representative from each generation department, a representative of the parent council, a local government representative and two representatives from the management of the school. So the Parliament will consist of representatives of students, representatives of the governing party or by the school authorities, parents and representatives of local government. A student representatives would be chosen through free elections to be organized by the school in collaboration with students and representatives of (local education government). So during the pre-election students would prepare various pamphlets and other promotional materials through which anyone can promote their candidate and student interests that they seek, and to defend them. The same should be realized and other representatives who would be members of parliament. I'd should specify, date, day of voting, when students will vote freely for electoral lists for classmate, and representative in who believe will represent and defend their interests and needs of the dignified way .
Along student parliaments, schools should have a school magazine, where students would have organized, edited and publish in collaboration with school leadership. In the magazine they can write for various student problems, interests, developments, needs; thus it comes to creative expression activity of students and the culture of writing, the desire for writing to promote student affinities and
wakes student interest in life and work in a democratic society.
Primary objectives of the existence of student parliaments are:
1. Promoting healthy relationships in the school and the development of democratic procedures;
2. Developing a critical view of events and occurrences in school and outside of school;
3. Resolution for true social values and civilization;
4. Develop a culture of dialogue, encouraging the development of true tolerance and solidarity;
5. Raising awareness of the balance between rights and obligations;
6. Actively participate in the educational activities in the school;
7. Initiation and implementation of their actions in science, culture, sports and other activities of interest to students in the school;
8. Developing collaboration with teachers, school boards, councils of parents and school administrators.
To achieve their goals the student parliaments, will address the following tasks, such as:
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 of student organizations;
3. Organize numerous forms of scientific, cultural, sports and other expressions of the students;
4. Collaboration with the school, teachers and other school authorities;
5. Vote on key issues related to the curriculum;
6. Organizing activities aimed at raising funds to finance the work of peers (representatives) of the Parliament;
7. Organization of charitable and humanitarian activities in the school;
8. Organizing other activities that contribute to the modernization and democratization of the school.
If you look at what has been said above, I think that the basic task of pupils or students' Parliament Assembly would develop democracy, exercise and protection of students, and develop cooperation with other similar organizations whether they are from the same city or beyond and other cities. As for student parliaments, I think they should exist ranging from
elementary school, and secondary and faculty or universities where they can consider student problems, needs and requirements.
Therewith student parliaments will be used as a tool to measure how school is, as it allows young people to be tolerant, equal and certainly active.
If we analyze the educational laws of the Republic of Serbia, it can be noted that the existence and establishment of student government in Serbia are regulated by law.
A magazine issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Republic of Serbia in 2005 asked what the school parliament is, specifies that: the idea is for students to gather in and to self organized to take part in school decision is precisely the idea of the existence of the pupils' parliaments. In the second half of the last century there were student communities in the level of sections that were not so active, a word which was heard and decided in the school department. Student parliaments are regarded as mini versions of state assemblies, which sit representatives of students to solve questions about their school. Relying on the law in the Republic of Serbia, students will themselves decide when to establish a school parliament according to the need. But bodies such as school principal, counselor, psychologist, and teachers can be founders of the student or school parliaments. But ideal school Parliament should be a set of representatives of the majority of school classes, representatives of their colleagues who will trust and give confidence to represent their interests in school Parliament. (DX - magazin, 2005, Izmjeri skolu da li je po tvojoj mjeri).
As for the legal regulation of the formation and functioning of a school parliament in Serbia, you can quote part of the Primary Education published in the Official Gazette of the 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 for student government:
1. Opinion and suggestions of professional bodies , school boards, parents council and director rules of behavior in school, the annual program of work, school development plan, free and extracurricular activities, participation in sports and other competitions;
2. Review of the relationship and cooperation student - teacher, educator or an associate;
3. Informing the student about issues of particular interest and importance to their
education. Beograd.
The Parliament consists of two repre- Sluzben vesnik na Republika Srbija, br. 62/2003; sentatives from each department in the school, 64/2003; 58/2004 i 62/2004
while in art school three representatives from Sos, E. (1987). Demokratizacija obrazovanja. Zagreb. each department or year. Vrcelj, S., Musanovic, M. (2001). Prema pedagoskoj
Parliament is elected every year and has futurologiji (skola buducnosti), Zagreb.
a president. The program of work of parliament is part of the annual program of work of the school. Student parliaments of all schools can join together in communities of student parliament.
CONCLUSION
From everything said above it can be possible to conclude that the Republic of Macedonia should regulate by law that governs the establishment and operation of student parliaments, including elementary schools. The existence of student parliaments should be the Democratic response for the time and the demands of a modern and democratic action and work in a democratic school. Activation of the young from an early age in democratic life and work, will certainly contribute to a developed and democratic society and the Democratic relations between individuals.
Conflict of interests
Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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