subject: Students Unions: Educators Perspective Of Self-government [print this page] Misconceptions concerning the role of student unions
Due to the growing significance of students unions, some educators criticize their activity. They say that students looking for advocacy of the unions have certain misconceptions concerning the role of these bodies of self-government. Certainly, advocacy is one of the main functions of the unions. Still, they are not aimed at easing the penalties. Unions rather struggle for justice and not infringing the students rights. It does not mean that turning to a student union might become a universal cure for underachieving learners or student lacking self-discipline.
The next important issue is the behavior of the union members. Some educators complain of incorrect behavior of the members waiting for certain privileges during the class discussions. On the one hand, teachers could feel empathy for students induced to combine their studies with public activity. On the other hand, becoming a member of a student union is a conscious decision of a grown up person. These students need to bear in mind that their public activity does not release them from responsibility for their learning achievements.
Critical analysis of the student unions significance
The fact is that student unions play an important role in life of present day colleges. Though some educators criticize its activity, the significance of self-government should not be underestimated. It provides young people with an opportunity to receive invaluable experience of public activity, which could be useful for them in their future life. Certainly, privileges for members of the unions during the teaching-learning process are out of the question. Teachers evaluation of their achievements should be unbiased. They should not stand out from the crowd during their classes.
The following aspects of the student union programs need to be taken into consideration for evaluating the significance of student unions activity
