Teaching democracy is never more vital than when the institution is under threat all around. In the primary school the children have a whole week devoted to democracy, culminating in their own exercise in democracy: student council elections.
The subject gave the students a framework to talk about conflict – those at home and those farther away – and it also got them talking about such issues as personal responsibility and listening to differing opinions. After talking about these in small groups, the students reported to the class and did a creative writing project on their insights.
All of the activities during the week led up to the student council elections. A responsible voter learns the issues and the platforms of the candidates and make an independent choice based on the information at hand. Thus, on Tuesday, the candidates presented their ideas to the entire student body, and undertook a short campaign. Most importantly, they campaigned respectfully, keeping the school values or tolerance and friendship intact.
By the end of the week – election day – the children saw how elections may be orderly and the results welcomed by all.
The new heads of the student council, one Arab, one Jew, one girl, one boy, are sixth-graders Sally Othemala and Peleg Goldenberg.
