The struggle in Luxembourg
UNEL (Union nationale des èléves et étudiant(e)s du Luxembourg) has, since its creation in 1920, fought for what it perceived as right and ameliorative. Considering the long history of school student representation in Luxembourg the current situation in our country seems incomprehensible.
The recent reform of the national school system in Luxembourg was heavily contested through a sudden and unexpected uprising of the school students before they were truly listened to, and involved in the reform of their education, the field where students are experts in. Regrettably, this remarkable act to show that school students should be heard was the first major manifestation of the Luxembourgish school students’ since 2006.
Many changes are being done progressively and in small steps in the education system of Luxembourg, and these changes are often implemented without even school student unions noticing them. Besides national reforms sometimes only a single school is affected, which makes it difficult for school students to get the needed momentum to influence the decisions. There seems to be little incentive to help school students to get involved and take action.
Our educational system is fairly good in comparison to some other European countries, yet this should not be used as an excuse to sooth students into accepting the existing and developing injustices. Many, but not all of the school student rights, declared by OBESSU (Declaration of School Student Rights) are observed.
As you can imagine by now, the International Day of Students on the 17th November, is unknown to the vast majority of school students in Luxembourg and we have missed our opportunity to use it as a means to raise further attention to the flaws that need to be rectified.
However, as our common struggle is universal and permanent, we will keep defending our values and fighting for school student rights. We wish all the best and much success to all those taking action and standing up for their rights on this 17th November 2012!
