THE NEW student council of the Seventh-day Adventist Secondary School has been challenged to protect the rights of the student body.
Elaine King, adolescent specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in addressing the new council and students on Tuesday, reminded them that under the Convention On The Rights Of The Child, they should be afforded the rights to participation and respectful engagement.
“The convention says that all girls and boys have the right to express their views and opinions on matters that affect them and to have those views taken into account. The student council provides a very structured way for this engagement,” King said.
She reminded the students that the council had to ensure the school met the needs of students.
“When there are challenges it is their responsibility to bring it to the attention of teachers and principal . . . to help resolve the problems,” she said.
​The council was inducted at a ceremony at the Ephesus SDA Church with Chealsea Jordan and Jordan Harris as president and vice-president for 2014, respectively.
​Kaylene Kellman-Holder, Ministry of Education officer with the School Positive Behavioural Management Programme, underscored the importance of student participation, stating that their views were critical since they were experts on their world and their experiences. (LK)
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