— The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Student Council (NSC), has successfully completed a three-day training programme that equipped approximately 500 student councillors from more than 42 public and private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions with foundational knowledge and practical skills to strengthen student advocacy, representation and leadership across Antigua and Barbuda.
Hosted at Island Academy, the workshops brought together student leaders from across the education system for an intensive programme focused on strengthening the capacity of Student Councils to identify, understand and address issues affecting their schools and the wider student population.
The training introduced participants to the roles and functions of Student Councils, the importance of meaningful student representation, and practical approaches to identifying school-based issues and examining their underlying causes. Student councillors were also guided through the development of action plans designed to ameliorate or eliminate the challenges identified within their respective school communities.
A central feature of the workshops was the emphasis on moving beyond identifying problems to developing practical, student-led solutions. Through the action-planning process, participating councils began outlining initiatives that they can implement to address priority concerns and contribute to improving the school environment.
With the training now completed, Student Councils will move into the implementation phase, commencing student-led campaigns across Antigua and Barbuda. Mr Kamalie Mannix, SC lead will continue to support schools in implementing their plans and monitoring student council led development across the island. These campaigns will translate the action plans developed during the workshops into practical initiatives, giving students the opportunity to take an active role in addressing challenges, promoting positive change and strengthening school communities.
The initiative represents an important step in the continued development of Student Councils as meaningful structures for student participation, leadership and advocacy. By equipping councillors with foundational knowledge and practical planning skills, the NSC aims to strengthen the ability of students to represent their peers, mobilise collective action and contribute constructively to decision-making within their schools. In the coming weeks the NSC will prepare for its High Council, where student representatives will elect a new executive.
The Ministry of Education and the NSC also express sincere appreciation to Island Academy International for providing its auditorium as the venue for the training programme. The institution’s support helped facilitate the successful delivery of the workshops and demonstrated the value of collaboration in advancing student leadership and development.
As the National Student Council continues to strengthen its national operations, the focus will now shift towards supporting Student Councils in implementing their action plans, monitoring progress and sustaining student-led initiatives. The ultimate objective is to ensure that students are not merely consulted on matters affecting them, but are empowered to take meaningful action in shaping their educational experiences.
The National Student Council remains guided by its core pillars: Representation, Mobilization and Advocacy.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: 500 Student Councillors Particpate In Three-Day National Workshop.