Order, Order.

We move now to a Stage 2 Vote on amendments for the Democracy in Schools Bill, in the name of 16th Scottish Government.

Members are reminded to vote For/Against/Abstain against each Amendment. Attempts to stylise a vote may result in it not being counted. Where there is mix-up with an alternative voting style, this shall also be accepted.

Democracy in Schools Bill

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to redefine and increase democracy within secondary schools and colleges.

Section 1: Definitions

(1) In this Act, unless specified otherwise;

(2) ‘School’ refers to any state-funded secondary education provider within Scotland.

(3) ‘Pupil Participation Plan’ refers to a plan prepared under Section 3

(4) ‘Council’ refers to a student council as under Section 4(1)

Section 2: Repeals

(1) The Secondary School and Colleges (Student Representation) Act 2021 is hereby repealed in its entirety.

Section 3: Pupil Participation Plans

(1) School administrators must ensure that they produce and publish a plan on implementing greater pupil participation within the running of schools.

(2) Where possible, these plans must be implemented fully.

(3) These plans are valid for six academic years after publication, with a new plan being published in the sixth academic year.

(4) Staff must make clear the goals of the Pupil Participation Plan to all students, and effectively disseminate information relating to it.

Section 4: Student Council

(1) A pupil participation plan must include provisions relating to a council of students, elected annually from the student body.

(2) The Council shall have the following recommendatory powers to staff:

(a) Items relating to the timetable

(b) Disciplinary procedures

(c) Informing the staff on how to best promote positive behaviour through policies

(d) How best to collaborate with the local community

(e) How best to collaborate with other schools

(f) Advise on school facilities

(g) Advise on the future Pupil Participation Plan

(3) The Council has the following absolute powers:

(a) Order stationary and other school supplies for use within the classroom, pending financial approval

(b) Approve fundraising activities for specified purposes, subject to existing laws and school policies

(c) Arrange extracurricular, lunchtime, or other enrichment activities within the school site

(4) The Council may also enact any recommendatory or absolute powers as granted to them by their school under the Pupil Participation Plan.

(5) Scottish Ministers may, by statutory order, modify Section 4(2) and Section 4(3).

*Section 5: Short Title

(1) This Act may be cited as the Democracy in Schools Act 2022

Section 6: Commencement

(1) This Act shall come into force at the beginning of the next academic year after July 2023

(a) Section 2 shall come into force upon Royal Assent

This Act was written by the Right Honourable Sir Frost_Walker2017, the Viscount Felixstowe, the Lord Leiston KT GCMG CT CVO MSP MLA MS PC, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on behalf of the 16th Scottish Government, and is based off of the Pupil Participation and Democracy Bill (Northern Ireland).

Opening Speech:

Presiding Officer,

I rise today to present this legislation to members of this Parliament. I firmly believe in furthering democracy where possible, which is why I prefer referenda to many items, and I believe schools should be no exception. After all, when students go out into the wider world, they will encounter many democratic activities, so preparing for them in education is a necessary step, in my view.

This bill is based off of a similar bill in Northern Ireland. It repeals the nonsensical bill passed by the 13th Government that transposed a formula from universities onto secondary schools and colleges without considering why this may be inappropriate to do so - namely, that many universities have a Students’ Union which effectively fulfils the criteria of the initial bill, while secondary schools and colleges have no similar item. Many do, however, have a student council, which this legislation seeks to formalise. It is a far more appropriate way to further democracy in schools than the repealed legislation seeks to do.

To begin with, every school is different. That’s why the majority of the implementation of this comes down to the schools on preparing their own Pupil Participation Plan. By mandating a student council and some recommendatory and absolute powers, however, we ensure that the Pupil Participation Plan is not entirely toothless, as otherwise a school could simply publish a plan that says nothing of substance.

I urge members to support this bill so as to best ensure quality democracy within schools, Presiding Officer.

Link to Stage 1 Debate

Amendments - all in the name of /u/Muffin5136 :

A01:

Insert in Section 4 (1) after "student body":

and must include representation from all years within the school.

A02:

Insert in Section 6:

b) Section 4 shall come into force at the beginning of the next academic year after July 2022

A03:

Insert in Section 2 in between points (1) and (2), and renumber accordingly:

(2) These plans must be submitted to the local authority or relevant minister for approval to ensure that they set out a proper plan for promoting Pupil Participation.

A04:

Insert at end of Section (2)

(N) The Participation Plan regulations must be reviewed after 6 years by the relevant Minister

(Added late as original posted in debate instead)

Voting on this item of Business ends with the close of Business on March 4th, at 10pm GMT.