Articles of the Month

Student Union?

Have you ever experienced school life when the teachers or caretakers are going on strike? How do you feel about it?

In many areas of Canada, school staff strikes are happening approximately every two years. In my opinion, they usually ask for high pay raises that are more than the school board can afford. This is how it usually goes: The union asks for a pay raise, but the school board doesn't accept it. The members of the staff go on strike and the schools become a disaster. To restore how the school used to be, everybody would ask the board to agree. The board doesn't have the money, where do they get it? And so the students turn out usually to be the immediate victim. The board cuts benefits, trip money, and privileges of the students in order to maintain the budget. One of the strikes went on when students were taking the provincial-wide literacy and math tests.

I believe that if the union tries to gain more rights, why can't we students do that as well? I find that the middle schools (maybe even secondary schools) have no student councils or student representatives (or with few influence) to protect our rights and help make decisions that effect every student.

I think that student bodies should have more influence in staff meetings and have a voice in the school board. If student privileges are threatened, then someone that understands us would at least try to object to the idea. For example, the school board can't maintain the budget and tries to cut the 3-day outdoor trip for grade 8 students. Well, a student council could disagree with them and suggest a cancellation of minor trips in order to keep the main one. The council could even suggest that students pay half the money of such a trip.

If a student council was established for the problem above, then they could also discuss with the school board rules for salary disputes. For example, they could suggest that the union cannot request more than 5% raise in salary for a 5-year period. Then the school board would be able to maintain the budget and students can keep their rights (and privileges).

We are the future of Canada and we should try to create a better learning environment. Maybe you can take part in your school's student council or even establish one!