Participation of pupils at European schools: How democratic are our schools for pupils in Europe? Erasmus Project

Project Title

Participation of pupils at European schools: How democratic are our schools for pupils in Europe?

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy) ; Civic engagement / responsible citizenship

Project Summary

Context/background of the project
The project “Participation of pupils in European schools: How democratic are our schools for pupils in Europe?” deals with the participation of pupils at schools. Many pupils have poor interest in participating at school committee work or are less motivated to play a part in activities that improve pupil’s interests sustainably because they think that they have limited power.

Objectives of the project
The main goal is to learn about ways of participation at European schools. The main objectives of the project are the intercultural exchange and communication in one target language naturally, to strengthen the idea of democracy of the pupils in their close environment, the development of youth autonomy and critical thinking and also to improve media competence and presenting skills.

Number and profile of participants
There are five secondary schools participating in the project. The schools are from different parts of Europe thus they have different school systems and a high variety of participation models for pupils. Their orientation differs from general secondary to vocational and from rural area schools to big city schools. The age group is from 14-18 years. The schools are from Germany, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Lithuania, Turkey and Romania.

Descriptions of activities and a short descriciption of the results and impacts
In the end of the project the pupils have created a collaborative work that includes written documents made by the pupils during the project, such as WORD documents, pdf documents and PowerPoint presentations: a list of defined words that are the foundation of the collaboration, a school survey and their results, the legal possibilities of pupil’s participation in the different countries, a list of activities about pupil participation possibilities in the different countries, pros and cons of participation possibilities, as well as a list of activities and their strategic realization for at least one goal per school. The project aims to increase the engagement and participation of young people at school which prepares the pupils for civic engagement and a responsible citizenship out of school, e.g. in local politics, clubs or organizations. The following results and impacts shall be made:
– Creating a collaborative work that includes documents about the participating possibilities at schools made by pupils
– A more effective use of English
– A broader mind and more open European practice
– Greater confidence in transnational collaborations
– New skills – organizing, presenting, discussing, using ICT tools

Methodology to be used in carrying out the project
Different methodological approaches are integrated in the project, but particular importance have cooperative methods (e.g. Think! Pair! Share!, pair or group work). There are also teacher-centred approaches included for a short length of time, e.g. to give instructions for a new task, or moderate a pro and con discussion. The participants analyse (compare and evaluate) the legal framework of pupil’s participation at European schools. On each trip, there are recurring tasks and procedures that the participants cope with:
– Organizational tasks
– Giving reports/presentations
– Working on content aspects
– Documentation of results

Potential longer term benefits
For all five schools that participate in the project, there will be an overvalue because the pupils will become more active and motivated to participate actively in school affairs and committee work. Third, e.g. other schools, will also benefit because the results will be published to the public.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 163496 Eur

Project Coordinator

IGS Bad Salzdetfurth & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Sredno Opstinsko Uciliste Ljupco Santov p.o. Kocani
• LICEUL TEHNOLOGIC “SFANTUL PANTELIMON”
• Marijampoles Suduvos gimnazija
• Sainte Pulcherie French High School