Students make council to solve school and community problems

Source: Dubai Cares

YEMEN: Ayaat Fadl, a 13-year-old girl, is the head of the Student Council in Bir Ahmed School. She is in grade nine and it is the first time she has had a leadership role in her school. It is the job of the council to represent the other students by taking the lead in making changes in the school and community and implementing activities that the students themselves have identified.

Ayaat said: “My role is to arrange regular meetings with the other council members and we come up with a weekly plan. Then I have to follow up on the implementation of the plan and document both our achievements and the obstacles are we faced.”

“Our goal is to make our school inclusive so that every child regardless of his or her color, gender, nationality and ability can access and receive quality primary education.”

Bir Ahmed is one of the 10 inclusive schools in Aden governorate that are implemented by Dubai Cares, in partnership with Save the Children. The program aims to increase school enrollment among children who often are excluded, and targets especially poor and vulnerable groups such as girls and children with disabilities.

Dubai Cares believes that building schools is not enough; education will only take place when children come to school, stay in school and enjoy learning. One aspect of an inclusive school is its link with the community. To encourage greater community participation in schools, Dubai Cares is supporting active parent councils and establishing student councils for both girls and boys.

The role of the student council extends beyond the classrooms. School issues are often linked with the community and problems are more likely to be solved with the involvement of the community.