Student council and the democratization of rights

contributions from school psychology

Abstract

This article discusses the thematic areas of education, human rights, and school psychology, in the context of an outreach action linked to the teaching activity of a state university in Paraná, state of Paraná, Brazil, which was carried out in a public basic education school in the same state. The study involved a practice with academics in the area of school psychology, aiming to promote reflections from a critical perspective. In this context, five high school students of the student council took part, reflecting on their roles in relation to human rights and the public school. The intervention consisted of three meetings, in which group dynamics and discussion circles were developed on certain topics, such as: ‘Ideal and real school – what does it have to do with me?’; ‘Student council and school democratization’; and ‘Social function of the school and the student council – strengthening rights’. Through these activities, it was possible to expand scientific knowledge, enrich discussions, stimulate questions, and envision strategies to strengthen the social function and effective participation of the student council in a democratic school. The importance of continued work, in partnership with psychology, aimed at valuing the Council as a representative of the student collective in the defense of quality education and human emancipation is highlighted.