SCHOOL REFERENDUM

 

The underlying objectives of the referendum were:

• To mobilize students and other stakeholders in school to participate in project activities;
• To allow students to speak up about events in school, within the context of health promotion;
• To foster a sense of commitment in students and personal involvement in schools’ functions;
• To raise the awareness and interest of the local community in school activities and initiatives.

The referendum was preceded by an election campaign. Every student, teacher and parent was given the right to speak their mind freely, whether they were “in favour” or “against” the adoption of the school health promotion policy. Students were very active in the course of the election campaign by means of producing campaign material, holding round-tables and public debates on the promotion of healthy living in school.

 

The referendum was held primarily thanks to students’ involvement in the organization. The very close semblance to real life conditions, where everyone could anonymously share views, mobilized not only students but also parents and local government representatives who also cast their votes.

The results from the referenda in the three schools showed that the school community was “in favour” of adopting health promotion policies at the schools that would lay the ground for making school a place promoting healthy living. Moreover, the election campaign and the referendum had a positive impact by publicizing school activities and encouraging involvement in future action.