Voting early and often the key to educating the electorate

Political education is starting at second level. Olivia Kelly reports

Creating a culture of political participation and political awareness among second-level students may be the answer to combating the problem of student apathy at third level. Most college students say they learned little or nothing about politics and voting at second level and many haven't managed to glean sufficient information on the electoral system since entering third level.

Programmes encouraging political awareness at second level are encouraged by youth groups, including the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and State organisations such as city and county development boards.

Dublin's first children's council, Comhairle na nÓg, will meet in Croke Park today. The council has been established by Dublin City Development Board to give children an opportunity to consult and discuss issues that concern them.

Some 150 children between the ages of seven and 17 representing schools and youth groups from across Dublin will take part in Comhairle na nÓg. Themed workshops on topics such as learning and education and social issues and concerns will be used to determine what's important to young people living in Dublin city.

Eleven student representatives will then be elected to represent Dublin's Comhairle na nÓg at the Dáil na nÓg in September 2002.

Fifth-year students from Drogheda Grammar School, Co Louth, chose to flex their political muscles by holding a mock election - using real live politicians. Students Kieran Costello and Fergus Finegan organised the election with the help of their CSPE teacher, Sarah Murray.

"As part of the run-up to the election, we randomly chose local politicians to speak at our morning assembly, telling us of their party's policies," said Costello.

The parties represented were Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour and the No Incineration Alliance.

"Due to the fact that the student body comes from various constituencies, we decided to hold the election on a party, rather

than single-candidate basis," he said.

The election was held on April 23rd. The No Incineration Alliance topped the poll with 41 per cent of the vote, closely followed by Fianna Fáil on 37 per cent.