Students call for 'a more political curriculum'

Two Jersey students have called for more to be done to help make young people better aware of how politics works in the island.

Fifteen year olds Summer and Maya were part of Jersey Youth Assembly's (JYA) second formal debate in the States Chamber on Tuesday.

Students from schools across the island were able to ask questions and challenge ministers before debating issues such as vaping and social media, between themselves.

Maya said "schools should implement a more political curriculum because I think it is really important to educate young people about it" and Summer added "younger people should, when they're in schools, have the chance to come here and ask questions".

The event followed a similar format to States Assembly days with the deputy Bailiff, Mark Temple, presiding.

Maya said: "I think young people are starting to be listened to a lot more now. I asked the chief minister about immigrants and how they would be dealt with, and asylum seekers."

Summer said it was her "first time being in there" and "not many young people speak up so I think it's good for people to come here to speak their own mind".

Maya will be able to vote in the election this year due to her age but said: "I still need to read a lot more about it and decide what I'm going do."

Alaric, 17, Oliver, 17, and Ashley, 18, helped organise the event as part of their work at the JYA.

Alaric said: "I think a lot of people do have opinions, but they aren't given the right opportunities to express them, so days like this are great ways of doing that."

Oliver added: "Historically, in Jersey voter turnout is so low, especially among young people but hopefully we can engage more young people in politics around Jersey with events like this."

Ashley said: "If you don't understand the actual system you're voting for, how can you actually make an informed decision based on what you want?

"People will actually be interested if they do understand... I think political education in schools should be a bit more prominent."

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