"Conducir la escuela secundaria bonaerense" | Clase 06: Isabelino Siede

Democracy in Schools: A Historical Perspective

Introduction to Democratic Governance in Education

• The session focuses on democratic governance within educational institutions, particularly secondary schools.

• Emphasis is placed on understanding the historical context of Argentina's educational system and its evolution over time.

Key Themes and Objectives

• Dr. Isabelino Side, an expert in education science, joins the discussion to explore foundational tensions between selective mandates and democratic practices in secondary education.

• The conversation aims to address how schools can foster responsible citizenship among students.

The Role of Schools in Strengthening Democracy

Reflections on 40 Years of Democracy

• Celebrating 40 years since Argentina's transition to democracy, there are reflections on both successes and ongoing challenges such as inequality.

• The central question posed is how schools can contribute to deepening and strengthening democracy.

Building a Democratic Political Culture

• Schools are seen as crucial environments for cultivating democratic political culture through active participation.

• There are two primary avenues for educating citizenship: specific curricular spaces (e.g., civic education, history) and the institutional environment itself.

Learning Through Participation

Practical Engagement in Citizenship

• Active participation is essential for learning; students learn by engaging directly rather than through theoretical instruction alone.

• Just like riding a bicycle requires practice, so does participating effectively in school governance.

Overcoming Challenges in Participation

• Learning often involves making mistakes; initial failures should be expected as part of the process of becoming engaged citizens.

• It’s important that opportunities for participation are structured so that errors do not lead to severe consequences or discourage involvement.

Navigating Institutional Dynamics

Balancing Authority and Student Input

• Discussions about student participation must clarify which topics allow student input versus those reserved for faculty authority.

Discussion on Democratic Participation in Education

The Role of Schools in Fostering Dialogue

• The importance of delegating certain discussions while maintaining core content discussions within educational programs is emphasized, highlighting the need for participatory spaces to gather opinions and contributions.

• Reflecting on the 1980s transition to democracy, it is noted that the right to speak in schools was a significant achievement. However, there’s a call to reassess this right today, emphasizing that speaking comes with the responsibility of substantiating arguments.

• Schools should promote deliberation based on reasoning and justification rather than allowing free expression without accountability. This involves listening to others' thoughts and integrating them into a collective understanding.

• A critique is made of current participation formats resembling chaotic television panels where dialogue fails to produce knowledge or constructive argumentation. Effective participation should foster argumentative dialogue rather than mutual exclusions.

Responsibilities of Educators

• Teachers and administrators are tasked with creating conditions conducive to dialogue, encouraging students to substantiate their opinions without discouraging them from speaking out.

• The discussion raises questions about social conditions necessary for effective participation. It highlights that many students may feel unqualified or unauthorized to express themselves publicly due to learned behaviors.

Collective Action and Representation

• Political participation is framed as collective action; students must learn how to act together within representative democracies by electing representatives who articulate shared interests effectively.

• There’s an acknowledgment that many individuals struggle with public speaking not due to lack of ability but because they do not feel empowered or authorized to voice their thoughts in public settings.

School's Contribution Beyond Academics

• While schools are seen as important institutions for addressing democratic issues, they are not omnipotent solutions. Their role includes fostering basic communication skills essential for effective representation in society.

• Emphasis is placed on developing expressive capabilities among students since those who can articulate their thoughts hold power over those who cannot express themselves adequately.

Challenges in Democratic Engagement

• A critical issue identified is the disconnect between representatives and constituents, where complex language used by politicians alienates ordinary citizens from political discourse.

• Schools have a structural role in strengthening fragile democracies by promoting oral expression alongside literacy skills, which often receive more focus despite the significance of verbal communication in political engagement.

Learning Through Participation

• Historical practices such as presenting lessons publicly helped develop confidence and democratic engagement skills among students, illustrating how structured opportunities for participation can enhance learning about democracy itself.

Understanding the Role of Education in Democracy

Theoretical Foundations vs. Practical Experience

• The discussion begins with a critique of traditional education, emphasizing that schools often focus too much on theoretical definitions of democracy rather than practical experiences.

• There is agreement on prioritizing experiential learning over mere theoretical content, suggesting that reflection should follow hands-on experience in civic education.

Citizen Participation and Educational Formats

• Lucía Lver's research highlights diverse formats for student participation across different schools, indicating that effective engagement can vary significantly by context.

• Some schools utilize student councils while others rely on larger assemblies, demonstrating the need for flexibility in how schools facilitate student involvement.

Historical Context and Current Challenges

• The transition to democracy in the 1980s established certain channels for participation; however, current educational leaders must evaluate and adapt these methods to enhance student engagement.

• The secondary education system faces unique challenges due to its historical roots tied to bureaucratic selection processes rather than inclusive practices.

Shifting Educational Paradigms

• Historically, secondary education was selective and exclusionary; today’s goal is inclusivity and meaningful engagement for all students.

• This shift requires dismantling outdated institutional practices that were designed for a different purpose—namely, exclusion rather than inclusion.

Changing Mindsets Among Educators

• Despite modern laws promoting inclusivity (e.g., regarding student councils), many educators still hold onto traditional selective models ingrained in their consciousness.

• Effective change necessitates not only new regulations but also a transformation in attitudes among educators and students alike towards more participatory practices.

Collective Responsibility in Education Reform

• It is crucial for educators to engage collectively in discussions about aligning teaching practices with contemporary democratic values as outlined by current legislation.

• Acknowledging the gap between modern educational laws and actual classroom practices is essential; changing mindsets takes time but is necessary for genuine reform.

Leadership Responsibilities

• School leaders must recognize their evolving roles: ensuring that every student leaves school better prepared than when they entered reflects a significant shift from past educational goals.

Understanding Student Participation in Education

The Process of Learning to Participate

• Students often do not have a clear understanding of their desires and goals, which is a common aspect of adolescence. This uncertainty can affect their participation in educational activities.

• Adults also struggle with clarity regarding their interests, leading to proposals that may contradict their actual needs or be impractical. Recognizing this is crucial for educators.

• Schools play a vital role in guiding students through the learning process of participation, emphasizing that these skills are developed through experience and practice.

• There is significant material available for candidates aspiring to leadership roles in education, encouraging both individual and collective reflection on these issues.