Page 35 - voice-international-oct2022

Insights

It is necessary to provide students with theories Throughout the entire electoral process, they
and knowledge of a democratic system. However, become the managers of the election as well as
a democratic system or a theory can be applied candidates and voters. They learn about the roles
in various forms, depending on the political of each stakeholder and importance of fair and
environment and culture of a society. Therefore, transparent elections.
the curriculum needs to focus more on the dynamic More importantly, through their electoral
nature of political and social phenomena, and to participation and experience accumulated, students
develop student’s critical thinking and sense of may begin to realise that election is not a nuisance
responsibilities as a responsible citizen. but an enjoyable event by which they express their
In order to induce students’ active participation choices and preferences. They may begin to regard
in civic and voter education, the curriculum needs to election as an effective tool to solve ‘my’ and ‘our’
touch more on the issues faced by students in their problems. In other words, they begin to think of the
daily lives. Discussing topics affecting their actual interests of the community as well as ‘my’ interests.
lives, they will realise that participating in politics They will also learn about the consequences of
and election should eventually lead to an increase their choices as well as responsibilities they may
in the quality of their lives. Textbooks are limited to have to take when deciding not to vote, which will
dealing with all the actual issues that are currently further reinforce students’ active and voluntary
taking place. Therefore, using supplementary participation.
materials such as statistics from civil society
organisations and Election Commissions as well as Conclusion
contemporary cases from other countries will be of School is the cradle of civic education for future
great help in keeping students motivated to learn voters. Students learn knowledge of the political
and put what they have learned into practice in their and electoral systems of the society, and socialise
actual lives. with the school system before going into the real
world. In this regard, what they learn and experience
Elections at school from their school lives in terms of civic and voter
In order for students to be able to use their education has an enormous impact on their attitude
critical thinking and knowledge about election towards the society and their degree of participation
acquired from school, in election and politics
they should also be able after they graduate.
to experience electoral The school may support students to organise This article suggests
processes within elections for themselves to deal with issues that the curriculum
school. The school affecting their lives at school. for political and social
may support students science touch more
to organise elections on actual issues that
for themselves to may attract students’
deal with issues affecting their lives at school. attention using a variety of supplementary materials
The students may organise an election committee from various sources. Another suggestion is that
to implement electoral processes to elect the school provide students with as many opportunities
student representatives of the school or classroom as possible to deal with elections for themselves so
leaders. The committee may also put to a vote that they themselves learn valuable lessons about
important matters associated with student welfare. electoral participation.

Seung Ryeol Kim
Advisor to Secretary General, A-WEB
Image by Andre from Pixabay

October 2022 | VoICE International | 35