JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016
ISSUE NO. 1
STUDENT COUNCIL IN JAMAICA NOT FOR NOT FOR SALE SALE Student Council Week February 14 20, 2016 Theme: “Positioned for Greatness”
A MAGAZINE HIGHLIGHTING STUDENT COUNCIL AND HOW IT HAS IMPACTED SCHOOLS IN JAMAICA Produced by the Kingston College Writers' Club
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Brief History Of Student Council
03
The Importance Of Student Council
03
What is Student Council
04
Roles of Student Council
04
Roles & Responsibilities of Student Council
05 & 06
National Secondary Students' Council
07
Aims of Objectives of the NSSC
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NSSC Elections 2016 -Nominations -Local Elections -National & Regional Election The NSSC National Executives
10
Regional Executives in the NSSC
11
NSSC Gallery
12
Thanks
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A Brief History of
The Importance Of
Student Council
Student Council
In 1975, the National Secondary Student Council was established through a policy made in 1973. The policy was made because of the cry of students in secondary schools for proper student representation. During the 1970's, the student advocacy saw tremendous growth so the Education Act of 1980 was made. The Education Act of 1980 stated that “every public education institution shall have a students’ council, which shall consist of elected representatives of students with at least one staff advisor, elected by students.” Student councils provide a representative structure through which students can debate issues of concern and undertake initiatives of benefit to the school and the wider community.
Student Council is important in several different ways because they interact with several different persons: the principal, the teachers and the parents association. The Student Council and the Principal The role of the school Principal is of central importance in the establishment and operation of a Student Council. In assisting the Board of Management in the development of school policy, and in working with teachers and parents to implement it at day-to-day level, the Principal is centrally placed in all aspects of the school’s operations. The Student Council and Teachers Developing a spirit of partnership and cooperation between a Student Council and teachers has benefits for both. The Student Council can play an important role in recognizing and supporting the work of teachers. Similarly the interest and support of teachers will be of great value to a Student Council, particularly during the early stages of its development. The Student Council and the Parents’ Association The Parents’ Association can make a significant contribution to the development of a Student Council, by encouraging and supporting students in the establishment of a Council and by supporting the Council in its activities.
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What is a Student Council A Students’ Council is a representative structure, comprising of students who have been democratically elected by their class to advocate on their behalf, thus working in partnership with the school administration, teachers, parents and all other stakeholders to ensure the development and sustenance of a supportive learning environment. They become involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management and staff and parents for the benefit of the school and its students. A Student Council provides an opportunity for students to engage in a structured partnership with teachers, parents and school managers in the operation of their school. Research indicates that Student Councils can improve academic standards and reduce dropout rates in schools. Student Councils can create a sense of ownership of the school and its activities among the student population.
Roles of Student Council A Student Council will set its own objectives, which will vary from school to school. Some general objectives could include: -To enhance communication between students, management, staff and parents. -To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development. -To promote friendship and respect among pupils. -To support the management and staff in the development of the school. -To represent the views of the students on matters of general concern to them. A Student Council will identify activities that it would like to be involved in organising, although the final decision on the activities of a Student Council should be agreed with school management.
The Vission
MISSIONÂ STATEMENT To advocate for the rights and welfare of secondary level students while highlighting their responsibilities; thus creating motivated and empowered students, demonstrating positive values and attitudes and contributing to the development of the Jamaican society.
To have a dynamic core of responsible and well trained students, recognized at all levels of society, empowered and committed to nation building through exemplary leadership and service
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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENT COUNCIL Roles of the Student Council 1.To officially represent all the students in the school. 2.To identify and help solve problems encountered by students in the school. 3.To communicate its opinion to the school administration on any subject that concerns students and on which the council wishes to be consulted. 4.To promote and encourage the involvement of students in organizing school activities.
Responsibilities of the Student Council 1.To promote the interests of students among the school administration, staff and parents. 2.To inform students about any subject that concerns them. 3.To consult students on any issue of importance. 4.To organize financial campaigns for school life and charitable activities. 5.To organize educational and recreational activities for students. 6.To participate in developing the school’s educational projects and to promote it to students.
7.To organize an activity to recognize the efforts of students involved in organizing school activities. 8.To propose activities to the school administration that would improve the quality of life in the school. 9.To maintain good relations, out of mutual respect, with the school staff (the principal, teaching and non-teaching personnel) and parents.
Student Council Secretary 1.Record student council meeting minutes 2.Post minutes on Student Activities web site 3.Email minutes of Student Council meetings to members 4.Send reminders regarding meetings and events out to Student Council members 5.Send notices to school on behalf of Student Council through List Serve 6.Take attendance at Student Council meetings
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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES CONT'D Roles of the Members of the Student Council President of the Council (High School) 1.To act as official spokesperson for the council in its relations with the students and the school administration. 2.To call meetings of the council and to prepare the agendas. 3.To chair the meetings of the council. Quoted references can also be helpful. References to people can also be made through the written accounts of interviews and debates. 4.To take part in all special committees formed by the council or send a representative to such committees. 5.To represent the students on official occasions. -
Executive Vice President of the Council (1 Senior High & 1 Junior High) 1.To advise and assist the President. 2.To coordinate the work of non-elected students involved in the organization of school activities: newspaper, environment, school dances, etc. 3.To replace the president when he or she cannot be present. -
VP of Administration (Jr. High School) 1.To write up the minutes of every council meeting. 2.To publish and distribute all the documents -
necessary for meetings. 3.To write and classify the correspondence of the council. VP Finance (High School) 1.To keep accounts up to date. 2.To make purchases. 3.To provide full information about the council’s finances whenever the council wishes to see it. -
VP Communication (High School) 1.To advertise upcoming events and activities to the student body. 2.To work along side the VP Administration to facilitate communication between the student council, school staff and the parent council. 3.To bring information collected from students, parents and teaching staff to the attention of the student council. -
Grade Representatives 1.To communicate the ideas and needs of specific Grades to the student council. 2.To communicate the student council activities and actions to their designated grades. 3.To aid in the organization of educational and recreational activities proposed by the council. 4.To act as consultants to the student council on matters that affect the grade they represent. -
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National Secondary Students' Council (NSSC)
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This column highlights The National Secondary Students' Council (NSSC) and its impact on Jamaican schools. 02
03
The National Secondary Students’ Council (NSSC) was established in 1975, through a policy brought before government in 1973. This policy came as a response to the growing demand for effective student representation and the need for students’ involvement in the decision making process of schools at the all levels. As student advocacy saw tremendous growth in Jamaica in the 1970’s, student governance received legitimacy through the Education Act of 1980. The Education Act of 1980 stated that: “every public education institution shall have a students’ council, which shall consist of elected representatives of students with at least one staff advisor, elected by students.” Mission: A dynamic core of responsible and well trained students, recognized at all levels of society, empowered and committed to nation building through exemplary leadership and service. Vision: To advocate for the upholding of the rights and welfare of secondary level students while highlighting their responsibilities; thus creating motivated and empowered students, demonstrating positive values and attitudes thereby contributing to the development of the Jamaican society.
The images above shows the different activities the NSSC have been doing for the past year. 1. Student Council's fight against child abuse campaign. 2. This was taken after the Capacity Building workshop in 2014. 3.This was also taken after the Capacity Building that took place
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More about the NSSC
NSSC
T
he National Secondary Students’ Council NSSC) is the umbrella organization for all students’ council across Jamaica. It is structured to give students the chance to voice their opinion at the highest level, on matters that affect them.
The programme was revamped in 2003 under the leadership of the Director of the National Centre for Youth Development and currently represents over 160 secondary schools and over 30,000 students.
The National Secondary Students’ Council has evolved over the years to become an institution that advocates strongly on behalf of students of Jamaican secondary schools.
The NSSC continues its representation of Jamaica’s students with the guiding philosophy, “responsible students make the difference.
(
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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE NSSC
- To identify, advance and promote the interest of students. -To express the viewpoint of Jamaica’s secondary school students, and represent or arrange the representation of any student or group of students before any authority. - To support students, affiliated student organizations and other appropriate bodies at the Local, National, Regional and International levels. -To provide students with services
and information relevant to their secondary education. -Promote the active participation of students in matters affecting their interests, by making representations to the power that they have. -To promote student governance, youth leadership, and the participation of youth in the decision-making process of civil society. -To develop in students a greater interest in civic, economic, industrial and cultural affairs.
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THE NSSC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE The National Secondary Students' Council national executive body covers the whole island. This executive body was created in April 2015.
Oshnel Bryan Daniel Jarrett Christina Williams Kingston College Jamaica College Titchfield High School General Secretary Treasurer PRO Structure of National Council
The current president of the National Secondary Students' Council, Everton Rattray. His proudest achievements are being the headboy of Kingston College, being the student council president of Jamaica, being put on the group of youth ambassador to represent his country and being a student of Kingston College.
The NSSC National Executive consists of the following persons: � President � General Secretary � Treasurer � Public Relations Officer � Regional Executive Members: - Six (6) Vice Presidents - Six (6) Asst. Vice—Presidents - Six (6) Secretaries/ P.R.O.s Local Council : The Local Council is that individual Students’ Council existing and operating in any particular school. Representation to Local Council is based on democratic election of class representatives. The Regional Council: The Regional Councils are groups of local councils in a particular geographical areas. The major function of the regional council is to deal with those problems which cannot be dealt with at the local level. At a regional level, students can address issues which affect more than one school. Each school is expected to send representatives to the regional meetings, which are hosted monthly.
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REGIONAL EXECUTIVES IN THE NSSC Region 1: Vice President Benjamin Fraser Ardenne High Asst. Vice PresidentShanice Phillips Meadowbrook High Secretary/PROTafari Williams Calabar High Region 2: Vice President Colleen Reid: St. Thomas Technical High Asst. Vice PresidentRobyn Boyd: Marymount High Secretary/PROShanies Williams: Seaforth High Region 3: Vice PresidentLatresha Hall: Ferncourt High Asst. Vice PresidentTavain Francis: Cedric Titus High Secretary/PROSydoney James: Holland High Region 4: Vice PresidentSherika Burgess: Mount Alvernia High Asst. Vice PresidentJustin Timothy Frater: Cornwall College Secretary/PROSamantha Smith: Grange Hill High Region 5: Vice PresidentMatthew Bryan: Manchester High Asst. Vice PresidentAntonette Dennis: Bishop Gibson High Secretary/PROKevaughn Knight: Manchester High Region 6: Vice President Sineal Smith: St. Jago High Asst. Vice PresidentAnnalisa Bartley: Kellits High Secretary/PROMark Edwards: Spanish Town High 11
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GALLERY NATIONAL SECONDARY STUDENTS' COUNCIL
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NSSC ELECTIONS 2016
Nominations Schools are usually encouraged to submit nomination of candidates for the National and Regional posts call for nominations are open January and close in April. Through technical and financial assistance received from the Ministry of Youth & Culture through the National Centre for Youth Development, the NSSC conducts its election via an online portal at www.nsscja.com . The elections are conducted by utilizing the Ministry of Education regional mapping that includes six (6) regions. For National Elections schools are encouraged to vote for their candidate of choice for the four (4) national posts: President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer. Regional elections include nominations from school within that respective regions to nominate candidates for the three (3) Regional posts; VicePresident, Assistant Vice President & Secretary/PRO.
LOCAL ELECTION (School based elections) This process includes the nomination and election of suitable candidates at least 2 representatives for each class (1 male and 1 female if it is a coeducational institution). These individuals will then make up the student council body at the school level where an executive consisting of; President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer & P.R.O within the school will govern the day to day activities of the class councillors. Nb: The president should be a member of the school board as stipulated in the Education Act of 1980. School council meetings should be held once per week. NATIONAL & REGIONAL ELECTION: Schools are usually encouraged to submit nomination of candidates for the National and Regional posts call for nominations are open January and close in April. Regional elections include nominations from school within that respective regions to nominate candidates for the three (3) Regional posts; VicePresident, Assistant Vice President & Secretary/PRO. 13
THANKS NSSC National Executives President General Secretary Public Relations Officer (PRO) Treasurer
Everton Rattray (Kingston College) Oshnel Bryan (Kingston College) Christina Williams (Titchfield High) Daniel Jarrett (Jamaica College)
Kingston College Writers Club Executives President Vice President Vice President Secretary Chief Editor Co-Editor Public Relations Officer Human Resource Manager Financial Director Correspondents Manager
Ramon Rhoden Chad Rattray Shevar Jones Blake Brown Jeremiah Baker Herbert Prince Jamoye Phillips Shaun Walters Dujon Goulbourne Sanjay Mocrieffe
NATIONAL SECONDARY STUDENTS' COUNCIL C/O 4-6 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 5 +1 876 978-7881 | www.nsscja.org.com
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