Students debate
issues, suggest
solutions to
school problems

After all, 'We're the ones sitting in
the classrooms,' one student said.
'Not the politicians and not the
Board of Education members.'

By Crystal Kua
Star-Bulletin

Ridding school bathrooms of smokers could improve classroom learning.

More students would use computers if more computers were available in schools.

Having better training for security officers is more important than having more officers on campus.

Although they aren't old enough to vote, about 200 budding lawmakers this week debated and voted on these and other topics at the annual State Student Conference at the University of Hawaii Campus Center ballroom.

Public and private schools

The three-day conference, which ended yesterday, involved public and private school students in grades 7-12 statewide.

Established by state law in 1970, the conference enables student delegates to identify, discuss and come up with solutions to school-related problems.

The students then send recommendations in the form of resolutions to the state Legislature, the Board of Education and the Department of Education for action.

"It will have a tremendous effect on students across the state," Board of Education First Vice Chairwoman Karen Knudsen told the audience during opening ceremonies. "None of you must ever give up. There's too much at stake. We need strong leaders."

CrimeStoppers for schools?

Keane Akao, conference chairman and Roosevelt High School senior, said students suggest solutions for their schools and their districts.

"They need a say because the problems affect them, and not the politicians and not the Board of Education members," Akao said. "We're the ones sitting in the classrooms. We experience it firsthand."

The issues before the students were school climate, safety and security, teacher assessment and training, facilities, technology, curriculum, and co-curricular worries.

Proposed resolutions included topics such as setting up a CrimeStoppers program for secondary schools, having teachers evaluated by students, establishing more substance-abuse programs in the schools, drafting an Internet discipline plan, and having students vote on school uniforms.

Students tried to support their positions through research and statistics, such as presenting a poll that showed 78 percent of surveyed students said they would use computers if more computers were available.

And -- just like real legislators -- the students also had to consider funding when deciding on issues.

Hot topic: Bathroom smoking

One of the more lively discussions came from the safety and security group which debated several topics, including whether to enforce strict measures to ensure the health and safety of students in bathrooms.

"Smoking and vandalism in bathrooms have everything to do with health and safety," Leilehua High School senior Te-Hina Ickes said.

She said smokers deter other students from using bathrooms, perhaps making it difficult for those students to concentrate on class work. Some of the solutions proposed included putting in smoke detectors and doing spot checks in bathrooms.

Voted in state House chamber

Conference planner Yee Ning Tay of Lahainaluna High School reminded the group that they had to consider how these issues would impact schools across the state.

The bathroom issue was taken off the board because, Moore said, it was a "huge issue."

This year's conference had a few firsts, including the first time it used the state House chambers to meet in general assemblies and vote on resolutions.