The student parliament of Charles Dickens Primary School is made up of the class representatives from all 3rd to 6th grade classes since 2023. They represent the interests of their fellow students for the duration of the school year and discuss topics that are important in everyday school life. The student parliament is supported by Mr. Vukovich (English teacher in the European branch), Frau. Stellke (school social worker), and Frau. Glodde (educator), who help the children with organizing, moderating, and implementing their ideas.
The student parliament is a central component of our democratic education. Here, children learn how participation works—how to discuss, vote, find compromises, and develop joint solutions. For example, the next school representatives (schulsprecher) are also elected in the student parliament.
At the same time, it creates a space where children’s rights can be experienced and lived—especially the right to participation and the right to freely express their opinions. Students learn that their voices are heard and can truly make a difference.
In the school’s plenary sessions, topics concerning school life are discussed: for example, improvements to the schoolyard, safety on the way to school, school design projects, ideas for respectful interaction, or wishes for clubs and events. The representatives bring their classmates’ concerns into school committees, such as the school conference, ensuring that the children’s perspectives become a firmly anchored part of decision-making processes.
In addition, the student parliament promotes connections with external participation opportunities, such as the Children and Youth Parliament of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf (https://www.kjp-cw.de/). This gives children the chance to actively contribute to their district beyond the school, take on responsibility, and get to know and shape democracy at the local level.
Our goal is to strengthen students in their rights, enable genuine participation, and work together to create a school where everyone feels comfortable, is taken seriously, and has a voice—in true alignment with our school community.
