5.3 Empowering students to promote their interests

Students must be able to analyse a political situation and to identify their interests, and to find ways and means to influence such a situation in favour of their interests. This objective requires students to be well trained in skills and competences of taking action and participation. It may only be achieved if the two other principles of non-indoctrination and controversial discussion are observed. This principle must not be misunderstood as encouraging egoism and neglect of responsibility. Every community relies on these values, but the point here is that the teacher must not discourage students from promoting their interests by confronting them with calls to observe their duties and responsibilities.

5.3.1 Practical implications

School is a micro-society where the students learn how to participate. This can be done in many ways, beginning in class, allowing students to choose topics that interest them and to participate in lesson planning, and include more advanced forms like democratic school governance (teaching through democracy and human rights) and taking action.

Task and problem-based learning support students in developing their powers of independent judgment and decision making.