226 school students cast vote to elect their government - First time on Electronic Voting Machine!

Introduction of Electronic Voting Machine in Children’s Parliament: A Pathway to Responsible Citizenship

It was a proud moment today to introduce a groundbreaking initiative at the Panchayat Union Middle School, Keeranatham, Coimbatore. For the first time, an electronic voting machine, specially designed by Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC), was used in a government school to conduct elections as part of the Children’s Parliament. This initiative, funded by the CSR initiative of Bosch, Coimbatore, aims to provide students with hands-on experience in the democratic process, fostering responsible citizenship from a young age.

The primary goal of this initiative is to create an engaging and educational experience that mirrors the electoral process in real life. By participating in these mock elections, students will not only understand the importance of voting but also develop a sense of responsibility towards their community and society at large.

Structure of the Children’s Parliament:

The Children’s Parliament will be composed of students elected to various key positions, each with specific roles and responsibilities. The positions include:

1. Chief Minister
2. Education Minister
3. Finance Minister
4. Law and Order Minister
5. Health Minister
6. Cultural Minister
7. Sports Minister

Each of these roles has been carefully designed to align with real-world government positions, giving students a realistic view of governance and its complexities.

Focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

In a pioneering move, each minister within the Children’s Parliament will be tasked with focusing on specific UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This will not only make students aware of global challenges but also encourage them to think critically about how these goals can be addressed within their school and community. The focus on SDGs ensures that the initiative is not just about understanding electoral processes but also about instilling a sense of global responsibility and the importance of sustainable development.

Implementation and Execution:

The electronic voting machine designed by RAAC is user-friendly and tailored to suit the needs of young students. The election process will be carried out in a structured manner, with nominations, campaigns, and voting, all supervised by teachers, RAAC representatives and BOSCH volunteers. This will give students a comprehensive understanding of how elections are conducted, from start to finish.

Educational Impact:

This initiative is part of the broader whole school transformation program at Panchayat Union Middle School, Keeranatham, which aims to enhance the educational experience through innovative programs. By incorporating this election process into the school curriculum, students will gain practical knowledge of civic duties, leadership, and the importance of participation in democratic processes.

Conclusion:

The launch of the electronic voting machine in the Children’s Parliament is a significant step towards empowering students with the knowledge and experience needed to become responsible citizens. By engaging in this unique program, students will not only learn about democracy and governance but also contribute to the progress of their school and community in alignment with the UN SDGs. This initiative by RAAC, supported by Bosch’s CSR initiative, is a testament to the power of innovative education in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Others schools in the city already have started approaching us for using the voting machine and execute their elections for Children Parliament.

A very good coverage of the event is here in tamil - Thanks to puthiya thalaimurai for this video coverage.

https://youtu.be/OGCRuDfE-KA?si=jGVHvGR5fM3PTXr6

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