Organising in Secondary Schools
May 9 2007
Hey everyone - I am a secondary school student and I would appreciate any advice you have to offer on the subject of political action and organisation amongst a school body that is politically apathetic. I would value any experience you have in this area.
I recently tried to establish a boycott of a food company that operates in our school called Sodexho through combining information about the unethical way in which Sodexho generates income, particularly the company's participation in the private prison sector, including several illegal immigrant detainement centres in the UK, and also issues that are likely to be of greater concern to my fellow students, such as restriction of choice (Sodexho operates as a caterer in addition to a range of other sectors) and poor quality and value of their food. I felt the best way to engage with students was through Facebook and so I posted this information as a note. However, almost all of the students I 'tagged' have either not responded or have done so with a dimissing and noncommital attitude
May 9 2007
#2
What year are you in?
I've not been in school for over eight years now, but I've worked in them a bit since then.
Does anyone in your school get EMA (edit: Educational Maintenance Allowance)? How strict are they about lateness/absence with this?
Do you get a lot of attention from Connexions in your school? They do a lot of things like passing information to all kinds of government bodies etc., it's not just careers advice. I've not done the research but I think you'd be able to unearth a lot of dodgy/unpleasant things about them with a bit of googling.
Have you spoken to the Sodexho workers? Are they in the canteen? They may well have their own grievances with the company around pay, sickness, leave, working conditions etc. - you need to be careful how you do that though, but it's a bit more immediate than what the company does elsewhere, even if it's "smaller". Combining something around the crapness and expensiveness of food with the way they treat their staff means you could have something which would involve both students, and the Sodexho workers, and maybe sympathetic teaching/admin staff.
May 10 2007
#3
Some pretty good ideas Catch. From my perspective I think it would be helpful to have sympathetic teachers on board, and of course admin/support staff as well as canteen workers.
As far as organising something in the school it would be handy to have a teacher(s) onboard as they might be able to facilitate practical aspects like using classrooms for small meetings or whatever, depending on what year you're in, if you're 6th form you might have a readily-available 6th form area.
May 10 2007
#4
Where abouts are you at school?
If there are any disputes of staff at your school, there could be a way you could support them. In schools in my London borough there are disputes over the grading of teaching assistants, pupil support could be useful there...
May 10 2007
#5
Yeah - teaching assistants taking classes instead of hiring proper cover teachers - there's all kinds of education/health and safety/pay issues there.
May 10 2007
#6
Another issue may be Senoir Management, or the equivalent term at your school. Those priveleged few who get paid that bit more for being the Head's Sycophantic run-arounds, I think a lot of teachers and support staff resent that.
May 10 2007
#7
I think using facebook is a bad move. People that you don't know are likely to dismiss it out of hand and even those that you do are probably going to think you've just forwarded them something. It's much better to communicate with people on a personal level. Also writing well takes practise, if this was the first thing you wrote (and I don't mean this in a bad way) it probably wasn't very good. This is another reason why personal contact is good, you've spent most of your life talking to people, you know how to do it, writing good leaflets etc is an entirely different thing and something that you have to learn. Hopefully they'll be a library of leaflts on libcom soon which will be a good guide. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't write things, but you might want to try having a leaflet with information on it for people who are interested.
Don't worry if you can't organise something, trying is very important in itself. Everything that you get wrong or don't do quite right will help you to learn for the next time.
I think organising on the cost and quality of meals is an issue that should affect students. The main reason people are apathetic is because they feel they cannot change the situation. Perhaps a smaller struggle could help show people that you can win victories. For example lobbying for better school equipment or a common room. If people simply don't care about the issues then either find other issues or organise elsewhere. It's quite possible that there are local anarchist groups that you may wish to contact, or even something as simple as a residents' association.
May 15 2007
#8
SODEXHO CENSORSHIP?
Has your school or college canteen been taken over by Sodexho? In that case, try searching on your educational institution's computers for the details on their murky activities. You might get less information than you think. Corporate Watch is receiving reports that, in some places where the infamous 'facilities management company' – that runs prisons and refugee detention centres – has won contracts, searches on the student-accessible computers for terms such as 'sodexho corruption' have come up with results blocked. If this has happened at your place of study, write in and let Coporate Watch know.
http://www.corporatewatch.org/?lid=2937
May 15 2007
#9
I'd be carefull about what you put online about organizing in school. I knew some kids that tried to organize against over crowding online becuase they where trying to use one campus for two schools...they kids got suspended for a week, had to delete all the content, write apology letters and sign all sorts of documents saying they wouldnt take any action against the school boards plans...
May 15 2007
#10
x357997 wrote:
I'd be carefull about what you put online about organizing in school. I knew some kids that tried to organize against over crowding online becuase they where trying to use one campus for two schools...they kids got suspended for a week, had to delete all the content, write apology letters and sign all sorts of documents saying they wouldnt take any action against the school boards plans...
That was in America though right? 
May 15 2007
#11
catch wrote:
x357997 wrote:
I'd be carefull about what you put online about organizing in school. I knew some kids that tried to organize against over crowding online becuase they where trying to use one campus for two schools...they kids got suspended for a week, had to delete all the content, write apology letters and sign all sorts of documents saying they wouldnt take any action against the school boards plans...That was in America though right?
yea, but our states are very similar (yours is more mental about cameras) with poking around in workers business.
May 15 2007
#12
Quote:
and sign all sorts of documents saying they wouldnt take any action against the school boards plans...
I don't see happening.
Was there any disciplinary action taken during the immigrant rights school walkouts? They seemed on a pretty large scale.
May 15 2007
#13
catch wrote:
Quote:
and sign all sorts of documents saying they wouldnt take any action against the school boards plans...I don't see happening.
Was there any disciplinary action taken during the immigrant rights school walkouts? They seemed on a pretty large scale.
loads of disipline...one kid even took his own life because it was so harsh!
May 15 2007
#14
The best advice I can give you about organizing in Secondary schools is to keep it around your personal friends. Revolution is a long term struggle, and we must not get mired in struggles that build petty reformist organizations.
Join the student newspaper and meet people. Have friends over and discuss things. Make sure to join a revolutionary organization so that you get support. You can't do it alone, as revolution is a collective enterprise. There are days when you're going to feel tired, but remember, Sodexho is just another corporation. Try to organize your students to pool cash and buy cold cuts or peanut butter and jelly to make sandwitches. Make sure to distribute based on need. Putting communist principles to work is much more important than protesting some corporation.
Jun 23 2007
#15
fwiw - sodexho workers to strike in Hackney:
http://www.socialist worker.co.uk/article.php?article_id=12162
Jun 23 2007
#16
I'd break that link if I were you. Wouldn't want the cunts turning up on here.
When I was doing stuff at secondary school (over 20 years ago 
), it was based around an unofficial school newsletter (with an incredibily embarassing name 
). I'm a great fan of newsletters, and they're a lot easier to produce nowadays, what with computers and that (instead of typing, and literally cutting & pasting stuff onto paper, then photocopying).
This is going to sound a bit patronising, but here goes.... You'll probably never have as much time again in your life to read, learn & discuss things with your mates, so use it well. Lend each other books, talk, let yourselves inspire each other, get the fire in your belly that'll hopefully sustain you for many years of political engagement. 
I've not got a great deal else to add to this thread, other than to wish you all the best with it really. You've made me go all nostalgic.
Jun 23 2007
#17
The newsletter's a good idea, particularly if you make sure that the distribution includes the governors (especially the LEA appointed parent governors) who are in a position to influence school management including - I presume - tenders for catering suppliers etc. I'm assuming, of course, that the newsletter would be well researched, relatively objective/non shouty ... more likely to be taken seriously.
Jun 23 2007
#18
Or you could take a more "direct action" approach like my mate Sean, and superglue a rubber duck to the bonnet of the headmaster's BMW. 
*not a serious suggestion*
Jun 23 2007
#19
Or if you do, don't break the 11th commandment
Jun 23 2007
#20
the button wrote:
Or you could take a more "direct action" approach like my mate Sean, and superglue a rubber duck to the bonnet of the headmaster's BMW.*not a serious suggestion*
I like that suggestion. 
Jun 25 2007
#21
Quote:
Wreath: The newsletter's a good idea, particularly if you make sure that the distribution includes the governors (especially the LEA appointed parent governors) who are in a position to influence school management including - I presume - tenders for catering suppliers etc. I'm assuming, of course, that the newsletter would be well researched, relatively objective/non shouty ... more likely to be taken seriously.
I heartily disagree with this. The newsletter should be directed first towards the students and then towards the teachers. It should have a class analysis that illustrates that the ruling class is attacking education to finance their wars and constantly seek to expose the governors, the school board, and the adminsitaration as complicit in the oppression of the students. You're not writing another bourgeois rag, so go on the offensive. Keep the circulation within those that you can trust, recruit to it carefully, and keep it anonymous.
Also, make sure to join an existing organization that has a platform/line that you can agree with. The help you'll recieve on this newsletter is invaluable. Rebellion isn't necessarily revolution, but when focussed, it can be.
Jun 25 2007
#22
A winning formula for North America doubtless.
Jun 25 2007
#23
My general advice would be that like any other political work, it's much easier and you are more likely to be successful if you can find some others who are interested. How easy this is obviously varies school to school, but even one or two other people will lighten the load as well as increase the quality of ideas you're having through conversation.
If you are organising around food issues, maybe rather than a boycott you could try something more creative. A boycott is unlikely to work on it's own because (a) the company you are dealing with is so huge it can easily withstand a small boycott and (b) a lot of kids (at my school at least) eat out of the cafeteria because they can't/don't make lunches for themselves at home. Is there an alternative source of food? Maybe you could make food and sell it. Does your school sanction bake sales? They were always going on at my school. Maybe you could have a bake sale with sandwiches or nachos or something lunch-like. You may be able to get ingredients donated by smaller grocery stores. Is there a Food Not Bombs in your area? Or a similar collective kitchen? They might be willing to help you out.
At a local university there has been an anarchist group called the G Spot running a successful* vegan pay-what-you-can lunch service for the past 5 years. they did this partly in response to an exclusive food contract signed by the Uni with Chartwells (or was it Aeromark?), a similar deal to Sodexho I guess.
* Gspot is actually some of the best food you can get prepared anywhere in the city.
Daniel Brennan wrote:
I think, though, that people in this age bracket are largely politically apathetic, and often apathetic in a more general sense. There's not many people our age and younger who at first even care about political matters, and more than that, even have any grounding for political ideas. I mean, talking to people your age I'm sure you've noticed that the very few people who do seem to have some concern, or at least interest, in matters which don't necessarily affect them immediately and obviously, have fallen into this brainwashed, robotic state of assuming that "Immigrants are the root of every problem" or that voting for any of the centre parties is the only thing they can do. It's unfortunate, but it's the way it is I'm afraid.
Basically there are apathetic people in every age group, and there are also energetic, caring people. As folks grow older, some will become radicalised by situations and people in their lives, while others will drop out of the struggle do to burnout, hopelessness, illness etc. Giving up on your peers as too stupid and careless to be useful is really a cop-out. I think anyone who hopes to help build anything vaguely resembling anarchist revolution needs to believe that most, if not all people are winnable to this side. otherwise your goal is impossible. This includes highschoolers. I became radicalised when I was in highschool, it was through long endless debates with my partner at the time. And I think the conversations that were had at that time in my friend group set a few others down the right path.
I think the problem with highschool is just that folks there haven't had the chance to find out how things in the world really change. There is all this indoctrination going on about the political system. So even when stuff does get tried, it doesn't always amount to much.
In my school we had a group called Student for Political Action (SPA) that held a cake sale once and later used to proceeds to help buy a megaphone for a local anarchist group. We were very, very badly organised. I don't suggest following that.
the button wrote:
When I was doing stuff at secondary school (over 20 years ago
A friend of mine who grew up elsewhere in Ontario has a school newspaper that almost got him suspended. The main point of contention was that he advertised the services of the sexual health nurse, who was required by some regulation to be there, but forbidden by a regressively religious administration from advertising herself at all. The school had an enormously high pregnancy and STI rate so he thought folks ought to know. I have heard of other havoc being wrecked by newsletters. I suggest making them funny, but not putting in personal attacks against teachers if possible.
the button wrote:
Or you could take a more "direct action" approach like my mate Sean, and superglue a rubber duck to the bonnet of the headmaster's BMW.
In my highschool someone firebombed the Vice Principal's office at exam time. The iMac melted!
Jun 28 2007
#24
Gwen wrote:
In my highschool someone firebombed the Vice Principal's office at exam time. The iMac melted!
Another victory for the working class
Jun 28 2007
#25
I think the newsletter is a great idea, especially as it might help get you in touch with sympathetic students in other year levels that you might not already know about. Definately the key to not burning yourself out and having a really hard time is finding others you can work with.
Over this side of the planet, a couple of years ago a bunch of high school students organised themselves into a group called Radical Youth - a mixture of anarchists (of varying flavours), trots and a few green party supporters (although its generally been dominated by anarchists, numbers and activity wise). They organised across a handful of schools in one city. They're still going, with some of the original people and new ones.
They've been involved in lots of stuff, both broad (eg anti-war stuff) and school/youth focussed - their major campaign has been towards abolishing youth rates, which are lower minimum wages for under 18's. This included a 1000 student walkout (with many more students forced to stay in school with threats of suspension and teachers physically stopping them leaving). They also put out a semi-regular zine which has some good articles in it (and some not so good )
They might have some advice for you - they're friends of mine and good people 
You can check out their website (currently being remade but still has contact details up) or their myspace page.
Good luck!
Firstly, I'd like to say that I really sympathise with your situation here, being in roughly the same boat myself. So you aren't the only one, if it makes you feel better.
I think, though, that people in this age bracket are largely politically apathetic, and often apathetic in a more general sense. There's not many people our age and younger who at first even care about political matters, and more than that, even have any grounding for political ideas. I mean, talking to people your age I'm sure you've noticed that the very few people who do seem to have some concern, or at least interest, in matters which don't necessarily affect them immediately and obviously, have fallen into this brainwashed, robotic state of assuming that "Immigrants are the root of every problem" or that voting for any of the centre parties is the only thing they can do. It's unfortunate, but it's the way it is I'm afraid.
On the positive side there does seem to be a marked increase in interest around our age group, a shred of hope perhaps.
All I can really suggest is that you get yourself the best political education you can, and education of the real world, not what classes are telling us, and just keep trying to turn the people around you on to those ideas. Unfortunately, at our age nobody takes much notice of what we're shouting about, not until there's a really rather loud voice.