Students should be given the authority to run and manage their schools?

Topic: Do you think that students should be given the authority to run and manage their schools?

Outline:
1. Describe what kind of authority students could be given with regards running their schools.
2. Describe the advantages of students’ management of schools.
- The students would be more attentive if they were to choose what they want to learn.
- It would help them develop maturity, responsibilities and confidence.
3. Describe the disadvantages.
- Students may no choose the subjects which would be essential for them in the future.
- Students do not have the skill and time to ensure that the school runs smoothly.
4. Briefly conclude that older students could be given a little say in the running of their schools.

The idea of students managing their own schools is an interesting one. It is, of course, not possible for every student to govern the school. Instead, students could elect some responsible students to run their school. These elected students could be given a say in all important school matters such as the planning of the syllabus, class timetables and extra-curricular activities. In addition, the student body could be put in charge of organizing important school functions and activities.

In my view, there are some virtues to this idea. First, if students were to be given the right to decide what they want to learn, they would then certainly be more attentive in class. This would also enable teachers to be guided by students’ interest and thus help them make teaching more enjoyable.

Secondly, through organizing school activities, students would learn to be more mature, responsible and self-confident.

However, giving students too much power when it comes to the management of their schools could also create a lot of problems. First, students may insist on policies that are detrimental to their studies. For instance, they may want longer meal breaks and easier topics in their syllabus.

Furthermore, deciding on the syllabus based on the students’ interest is no ta sound policy. Often, there are topics which students may not lake but which they would have to master for their future good. For example, if a student wants to be a doctor when he grows up, he needs to have a firm foundation in all the science subjects.

In addition, the administration of a school requires a lot of skill and time. Becoming too involved in the organization of the school may distract the students from their studies.

In conclusion, I feel that older students should be given some say in school matters. However, students must never have absolute power in the running of the school.