How much have you wished to voice your opinion during your years spent at primary school? I am sure there were issues you wanted to challenge but did not have the possibility.

I recently followed an in-service course in Bergen, Norway, under the Comenius Socrates 2.2 Programme. We discussed democracy in primary schools in Europe.

As a PSD (Personal and Social Development) teacher in primary schools, democracy is very closely related to what is done during a PSD lesson. Pupils form a group based on trust, to share and express themselves on issues relating to their lives.

This is mainly done through games. Very often the lesson is held in a different environment than that of a classroom, and is carried out in what is called a 'circle time' for better communication.

We were 18 participants from ten countries - Belgium, Wales, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and myself from Malta - attending the course. It was attended by teachers and head teachers of primary schools. The variety of cultures, including religious beliefs, and the wide cross-section of countries, made the group a particular one. It was a great experience for every participant.

In our first day, we shared and discussed our respective educational systems, schools and class. This was vital for the whole course, as it put into the picture all that was being shared during the week. We also put up a small exhibition with pictures and material about our schools and class/subject.

After sharing my PSD experience in Malta, I was glad to find that most realised its importance and were eager to learn and discuss more. It also gave me a good opportunity to learn and ask for more feedback on the subject. Life for pupils in most countries has become so academic that teachers felt the need for subjects like PSD within their curriculum, which can give the pupil the democratic power and tools to think, form opinions and find ways to form a community.

I could also hold in-depth discussions on my subject, analyse it and appreciate its importance.

One of the major points raised during the course, was the importance of a Students' Council.

Although this seems to be formal and might lead to some bureaucratic restraints, it gives children the power to have a say in the schools' decisions. During our stay we visited a school, and also had the opportunity to attend a Students' Council. We first following the discussions at classroom level, then followed the Students' Council, formed by two representatives from each class. I was struck by Bergen's peaceful natural landscapes. People are very warm-hearted and helpful.

At the end, contacts were exchanged, which will now trigger further thoughts and discussions.