Grade 7 students from Yorkdale Central School had an opportunity to see democracy in action last week with a trip to the provincial Legislature in Regina.
The class, which is currently studying a unit on government, got to see MLAs debate the controversial move of a corrections facility and long-term health care among other things. The next day, they compared the media coverage with what they had seen in person.
“It was excellent,” said Noel Budz, vice-principal and Grade 7 teacher. He said it is very instructional for kids to be able to see what they are studying come to life. He said to be there and tour the Legislature underscores the importance of democracy and that the students should not take for granted what we have.
Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said he loves hosting kids when they come to the Legislature and have his picture taken with them, but was unable Thursday to escape from a Cabinet obligation.
In the coming days, the class will solidify their knowledge even further by turning their classroom into a hall of political debate. They have crafted two bills, one on preventing bullying and the other on banning second-hand smoke. The students will be divided into government and opposition benches and debate the bills.
“We want them to go through the process to try to get them to live it so they understand it better,” Budz said.
The program is offered twice a year by the Provincial Capital Commission (PCC) to educate youth about the history of governance in Saskatchewan and inspire pride in the capital city.
“Saskatchewan’s youth are the future of our growing province,” said Mark Docherty, minister responsible for the PCC. “A good understanding of government will benefit them as they build careers and pursue issues they’re passionate about.”
