Child participation in education can be defined as the free expression of children's views in every environment in their schools, their views being taken seriously by school management and teachers, and all children taking an active role in decision-making processes that concern them in schools.
Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child regulates children's right to participation. According to this article;
“1. States Parties shall ensure the right of the child, who is capable of forming his or her own views, to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, and the views of the child shall be given due weight in accordance with his or her age and maturity.
2. To this end, the child shall be given the opportunity to express himself or herself, directly or through a representative or an appropriate body, in all judicial and administrative proceedings, in particular those affecting the child, in accordance with the rules of procedure of national law.”
Based on this provision, the Committee on the Rights of the Child has identified Article 12 as one of the four general principles of the Convention, together with the rights of children to non-discrimination, life and development and the best interests of the child, and emphasizes that this Article not only establishes a right, but must also be taken into account in the interpretation and implementation of all other rights.
According to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, principles of child participation should have the following characteristics:
Transparent and informative: Children should be provided with complete, accessible, diversity-sensitive and age-appropriate information on their right to freely express and have their views taken into account, and on the scope, purpose and potential impact of the participation process.
Volunteer: Children should never be forced to express their views and should be informed that they can end their participation at any stage.
Respectful Children's views should be respected and socio-economic and cultural differences should be recognized.
Related: The issues on which children's views are sought should be relevant to their lives and children should be given the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills.
Child friendly: Environments and methods should be adapted to children's age and developing capacities.
Inclusion: Participation should be inclusive, equal participation of all children should be ensured, and opportunities for the participation of disadvantaged groups/individuals should be developed.
Supported by education: Adults and children need to be prepared and empowered to work together collaboratively and effectively.
Safe and risk-sensitive: Necessary measures should be taken to reduce the risks associated with children expressing their views; children should be informed about where to go for help if they need it.
Accountable: Children should be informed about how their views are interpreted and used; they should receive clear feedback on how their participation affects the outcomes.
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Sources
A.Beyazova.G.Durmuş. I.Tüzün. Child Participation in Education: Examples from Turkey and the World