Western Isles students will be among 50 children from a range of backgrounds throughout Scotland who will come together to create a ‘labyrinth of ideas’ in an event hosted by the Children’s Parliament on March 6.
Called 'The Gathering', the event will reflect their views of how school works best for them and will allow the children to engage with adults whose opinions influence education in Scotland.
The students will demonstrate in a creative way, what holds children back, what works well and what can be improved in schools. Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, Kathleen Marshall is among the adults taking part.
Children’s Parliament Director, Cathy McCulloch, said: “We want to remind people that children are the experts in their own lives. We believe that giving children the time and space to think about issues that affect them, helps adults better understand children’s lives and provides an opportunity for children to play their part in finding solutions that work.
“This isn’t a case of children demanding this or that; it’s more an opportunity for children and decision-makers to listen to each other in order to achieve greater understanding and begin what we hope will be ongoing and effective relationships.
“The children don’t expect difficult issues to be resolved overnight but hopefully some changes will result from this event, which we believe to be the first of its kind in Scotland,” she said.
The students from North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra will help to guide adult participants through the labyrinth and join them in focus group discussions. The Gathering is part of the Children’s Parliament’s ‘big conversations’ approach to overcoming the ‘democratic deficit’ of children having no say in the decisions that affect them.
Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People (SCCYP), Kathleen Marshall, is a participant in The Gathering.
“The work of the Children’s Parliament connects very well with the principal activities of the commissioner’s office, in that it works to provide a proper voice to those who so often find themselves ignored, sidelined and unheard,” she said.
“Children have no vote, no democratic route to express their opinions. But that does not mean their opinions shouldn’t count. I am looking forward to seeing exactly how they perceive their education and their school environment and I expect to be inspired by the outcomes of the exercise.”
The Gathering works within the principles of the Curriculum for Excellence which asks that a broad, creative and inclusive approach to education is taken in Scotland.
Following The Gathering event in Scotland the adult participants will be invited to make pledges to the children, picking up from discussions on the day. The children hope to invite all the participants back towards the end of the year to talk about progress made, and assess what changes have been made.
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