What are the benefits of electing student councils?
The main aim and duty of elected student councils such as the KSU, KSJC and KSM is to represent the interests of all students, without distinction. They attract greater attention to the student lobby and create more space for students to voice their concerns. Rachel Powell, Bachelor of Laws, 2nd year.
Students councils are beneficial, but much of their work is unseen, so students do not fully appreciate them. For example many have yet to discover the recent KSU initiative for students to have five minutes before an exam starts to read the paper. Ryan Farrugia, Bachelor of European Studies, 1st year.
It is sometimes difficult to understand the importance of student councils and their heated campaigns. A benefit of student councils is that they exert pressure when needed for change to occur. Luca Zahra, Bachelor of Laws, 3rd year.
Is student activism on campus worthwhile/rewarding or should students just focus first and foremost on their studies?
It’s unhealthy, even academically, to focus solely on one’s studies and not participate in a student organisation or attend events on campus. These organisations help students benefit fully from the university experience. Student activism is an ideal way to practise what is learnt in one’s studies. Rachel Powell
It is worthwhile. Student activism enables you to acquire skills such as teamwork and leadership. Academia is very important, but it is through student activism that academia and university improve for the better. Ryan Farrugia
Being a university student entails more than just attending lectures, tutorials and sitting for exams. To experience student life to the full one has to get involved in student organisations on campus, which strive to deliver as much as possible with few resources. Luca Zahra
Is there a strong sense of apathy among students?
Voter turnout in student elections is low. Youths engage in what interests them. Student organisations have to ensure their proposals are relevant to students’ needs. Students cannot expect their rights to be safeguarded or their concerns voiced if they do not do their duty and vote. Rachel Powell
Yes, unfortunately most youths are not doing their duty to supervise democracy. People have a duty to act as a watchdog on power in order to prevent dictators from rising. Since many youths have been born in a peaceful era, they do not know the cost of the blood spilt to ensure this peace. Ryan Farrugia
Apathy is not exclusive to youths; it affects all ages and is increasing. One way to address it is for student organisations to be innovative and find out what affects students most, and so provoke more activism. Luca Zahra
Compiled by Insite – the student media organisation.