Student council facts for kids

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Students working together in a student council

A student council is a group of students who are chosen to represent their classmates. They work with teachers and school leaders. You might also hear them called a student union or student parliament. These groups exist in many schools, from elementary to high school and even universities. Student councils help students learn about democracy and leadership. They give students a voice in their school.

What Do Student Councils Do?

Student councils help share ideas, interests, and worries from students with teachers and school leaders. They also help raise money for fun school activities. This can include social events, community projects, or helping people in need. Many councils organize food drives, fundraisers, and parties. Students in the council learn important skills that add to their regular school lessons.

Student councils can work in different ways. Some are like the United States Congress, with elected representatives. Others are like the Executive Branch, with a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These student leaders are usually chosen by other students through elections.

In elementary schools, there might be one or two student representatives from each classroom. They work with a main group of officers. In secondary schools, there might be a different set of officers for each grade level.

A student council might have roles like president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. They might also have a fundraising officer or a historian. These roles can be chosen by the council members or voted on by the whole student body. A teacher usually helps guide the student council.

Sometimes, a student council member is chosen for each class. This person shares ideas and concerns from their class with the council. Other times, elected Class Officers are automatically part of the student council.

Student councils often raise their own money for activities. They might do things like car washes or bake sales. Some schools give their student council a budget. This budget helps them pay for different student activities.

Student Councils Around the World

Student councils can have real power, like in Spain and Germany. There, they help students and schools work together. In other places, they might be clubs that organize events and fundraisers.

Many student councils join bigger groups. For example, in the United States, there is the National Association of Student Councils. In Canada, the Canadian Student Leadership Association helps connect student councils across the country.

Canada

In Canada, student councils help schools with special events. They also plan other activities. Canadian student councils speak up for students on issues like tuition fees.

Germany

Student representation is very important in German schools. Every school in Germany has a student council. If there are big changes that affect school life, the student council must agree. There are also student councils for districts and states. These groups talk with school authorities and government officials. The state student councils even get money to help them work.

Greece

In Greece, student representation is seen as a key part of democracy. All public secondary schools have a student council with 15 members. Each class also has its own student council with 5 members.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, some secondary schools have student councils. These councils are directly elected by the students. They have roles like chairpersons and secretaries. Student councils represent students, organize events, and help students.

India

In India, student councils are not common in elementary or middle schools. They are found in many secondary and higher secondary schools. They are most common in universities. Student council members in India can be elected, chosen, or selected after an interview.

Indonesia

The emblem of OSIS

In Indonesia, student councils are officially set up by the government. They are called OSIS. This name means "Intraschool Organization of Students." OSIS groups are required by law in all junior and senior high schools. Each year, teachers and former council members choose new students to join. The president of OSIS is usually voted for by the students of the school.

Iran

In Iran, students in elementary, secondary, and high schools elect student council members every November. These councils help students and school officials talk to each other. They also help organize school activities and field trips.

Iran has student councils at school, city, region, and national levels. The "Student Parliament" members are elected for two years. They meet with the Minister of Education to share their ideas and needs.

Ireland

Since 1998, student councils have grown in Irish secondary schools. In 2008, the Irish Second Level Students Union was started. This group helps organize and support student councils across the country.

Israel

Israel has a national student and youth council. This group represents all young people in Israel. Its members are elected from district youth councils. The council includes young people from different groups, like religious, secular, Jewish, and Arab. They talk with government leaders and take part in meetings about youth issues. In 2006, graduates of this council started an organization to help young leaders.

Japan

Student councils were added to Japanese schools after World War II. In Japan, students in a class often stay together all day. Each class has elected representatives who report to the student council. The student council members are elected by all students. They often plan events like the culture festival and sports day.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, student councils in public secondary schools are usually run by prefects. Prefects help students and teachers communicate. They also help enforce school rules. Some schools choose prefects based on recommendations or good grades. Positions like head prefect are often elected by students. Prefects wear special blue uniforms.

Norway

All schools in Norway must have a student council. Students elect the council members. The goal of a student council is to make the school better. They do this by encouraging social and cultural events.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, student councils are becoming more common in schools. They play an important role. Student council members can be elected, chosen, or selected after interviews or tests.

Philippines

Student governments in the Philippines are usually elected directly by students. They have positions like President, Vice President, and Secretary. Public elementary schools have "Supreme Elementary Learner Governments" (SELG). Public secondary schools have "Supreme Secondary Learner Governments" (SSLG). There are also federations of these groups at division, regional, and national levels.

Singapore

In Singapore, many secondary schools have a student council. It helps students and school leaders talk to each other. It also helps with student well-being and organizes events. Some schools call their student council a "Student Leader Board." In Junior Colleges, student councils have more freedom to plan and run school events.

Spain

Most Spanish universities have student councils. These are set up by law. Students elect the members of each university council. There are also regional and national student councils.

United Kingdom

Student Councils in the United Kingdom are often called Student Voice or School Council. In secondary schools, teachers usually choose the members in state schools. Some student councils have a clear structure with representatives, a secretary, treasurer, and a chairman. The chairman runs the council and makes sure important topics are discussed.

In Wales, all primary and secondary schools must have a School Council by law. Council members are elected by students using a secret ballot. The council can also choose members to join the school's Board of Governors.

In universities, the student council is the main student body. Its members are elected by students.

United States

Student councils in the United States are often like clubs. They work to bring students together on their campuses. These groups raise money, support students, and host events like dances.