Education and students remain central to the ever-evolving nature of politics around the globe. Young students actively advocate in many spheres, and throughout history, they have been at the forefront of changing policies and demanding a reform in governance. With their capacity to radically overhaul the sphere, suggest ingenious alternatives, and motivate people, they participate politics of nearly all nations.
A politically educated person is one who engages politically, and education equips people with the necessary skills needed to engage politics. Universities are educational institutions that particularly serve as cultures of political discussions, where students obtain knowledge about government, human rights, public policy, and so forth. An informed populace creates means for active participation to contest elections, and corruption and keep the leaders in check.
Students in higher education institutions are equally exposed to differing stand points, and there is free discussion of political ideas and public problems. There is a feeling of associational engagement injected in the society, which enables the young to become active participants in community development.
Without a doubt, students have contributed great deal in instigating change in social, economic and political activities. Some of the greatest political changes were accomplished with the supreme aid of student activism, such as:
- The Civil Rights Movement (USA) – Protests and sit-ins against racial discrimination and unjust segregation was spearheaded by active students.
- The May Protest of 1968 (France) – Striking students led a movement with major political and economic changes.
- The Tiananmen Square Protest (China, 1989) – Students at the forefront of the fight for democracy and change often led these protests.
- Arab Spring (2010s) – Students were prominent in the use of social media to organize protests against repressive governments.
Students are now more empowered than ever thanks to social media and the internet, something that has now transcended borders. With the proper education on media and technology, they can raise awareness, debunk political statements, and mobilize mass movements. Youth-led campaigns aimed at climate change as well as those on gender and human rights have all received international accolades demonstrating that educated students have the means to become political actors.
While these empowerments exist, students and education systems suffer political engagement in the form of state restriction, fake news, and apathy. However, these problems can be approached through responsible activism and ethical leadership by students willing to learn while avoiding extremism and manipulation.
Education fuels democracy and students are integral in its political development. Informed citizens who advocate for their rights and engage in civic activities help build societies which are fairer and more just. They will be able to assume leadership in the future, and what they do today influences decision making processes and governance in the future.
This article is written by Ms. Aisa Aslanova who is an esteemed educational expert based in Baku, Azerbaijan, with extensive experience in the field of education. Her work focuses on the intersection of education, policy, and societal development, offering valuable insights into how education can shape the future of individuals and communities.
