‘You always have a choice.’ This is a phrase that I became acquainted with in recent years, when I was sure that I had crossed my adolescent years and finally the power over my life had shifted to my own hands. My parents had finally given me the authority to leave their nest and make my first flight.
As a student, as a child and as a teenager, I had heard this over and over again from my peers that we had little choice over matters that were paving the path of our lives. What we were learning and how we were learning was not in our hands. A few years ago, when I was smitten with literature and wanted to explore Shakespeare in detail at school, my teachers had asked me to take my request elsewhere, I had no say in the curriculum. I felt frustrated, annoyed, sad and hopeless. They knew what they wanted to teach me and how they wanted to teach me. I was nothing more than a puppet.
But gladly, this is not the scenario for students in Canada. They have a voice and they have a choice!
As a student, if you thought that your Student Council was the highest authority that spoke for you, then you are mistaken. The Student Trustees at your school board represent your interests and concerns at higher level. They represent the voice of students in decisions about education in Peel, and they help keep students informed about important decisions that affect them. The Peel board has two student trustees—one representing schools north of Highway 401 and one representing schools south of Highway 401.
Bhavan Sandhu, from Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School, represents schools north of 401 and Sahil Kumar, from Cawthra Park Secondary School, represents schools south of the 401.
Bhavan heard about this position for the first time from her teacher who nominated her to run for the elections, whereas Sahil had his eyes on the post from a couple of years. All the schools in Peel region act as constituencies and through vigorous campaigns, youtube videos and speeches at several schools, these two posts are finally filled after a fair election.
Bhavan and Sahil both agree that being a Student Trustee is a big commitment as they voice concerns for all the students in the Peel.
While talking about the matters that concern high school students,Bhavan says, “We bring cultural problems, what need to be changed in the curriculum and anything that impacts students in a negative way.”
Sahil further elaborates and says that these are not the concerns about the mirrors in your school washrooms but important issues, “One issue we brought at the beginning of the year was that a Muslim student had problem dissecting a pig for biology. So, we brought it forward.”
Bhavan adds by saying that we also have concerns about the uniformity throughout the schools in Peel region, “it is not fair when students complain that they went to a tough school and have low grades while applying to universities. The board is working to resolve this issue by reviewing the curriculum and teaching methods.”
Sahil and Bhavan smile while talking about the benefits they get for being student trustees. They both had mentors to guide them when they stepped into the office. They became familiar with meetings, procedures and proper steps, communicating with the student body in the most efficient manner and improved their skills as leaders. Also, student trustees receive an honoraria of $2,500 and are provided with $1,500 to be used for conferences and training. They are also reimbursed for expenses they incur in their role as student trustee.
As they are both full time students and working hard to maintain their grades in their last year of high school, one is inclined to ask them about time management. They attend a meeting every week and have to give about 15-20 each month to their responsibilities as a student trustee.
Bhavan who is studying sciences and wants to be a pediatrician in the future and hoping to go to McMaster University this year, says, “ It’s not like we never have time. We are in grade 12 and have to keep up with the studies and our responsibilities. But there are things that we do less, but that doesn’t mean we don’t do them at all, partying being one of them. It’s just that our focus has changed.” Bhavan also enjoys atheletics and has been on a team each year.
Sahil on the other hand is artistic in nature and attended Cawthra Park Secondary School that specializes in regional arts program. But Sahil is leaning towards health sciences as well and hoping to go to either McMaster or Mcgill University. He laughs and says that his grandparents had a hand in influencing his change of interest.
Thinking about the year they spent in the office Bhavan says, “ It has been a great experience, I have learned a lot. It makes you see the education system differently.”
While Sahil had something to say to the youth out there, “Youth should also concentrate on getting aware of stuff. It’s ironic how we are at an educational building but we hardly see people our age get involved. It’s always the adults. Students should try to come to board meeting and try to get to see what’s happening here. There is always cool stuff happening as well that doesn’t get advertised.”
Well, if you are 16 and above and would like to voice your choice to the board then follow in the path of these two and secure yourself a seat in the Student Trustee Office! To find out more about this position, visit the Peel District School Board website at http://www.peel.edu.on.ca/student/trustees/trustees.htm
