Taapopi Naftali
As a student leader, I have seen firsthand how student representative bodies like NANSO, NASA, SUN, and others are constantly contradicted and undermined, often for the wrong reasons. These organisations are essential because they are the voice of the learners; they identify challenges, propose solutions, and implement programmes that improve the educational experience for everyone. Yet, instead of being supported, we face unnecessary resistance from directors, principals, and institutional authorities.
Student leaders are often blocked from carrying out their programmes; mentorship initiatives, awareness campaigns, peer-support sessions, and skill-building workshops are delayed or cancelled due to bureaucracy and unnecessary restrictions. Some school principals deny us access to learners, preventing us from engaging directly with the students we are elected to serve. In higher institutions, the same obstacles appear, with authorities sometimes stalling approvals or limiting collaboration opportunities with learners. These delays are not just administrative hiccups; they directly affect the growth, wellbeing, and development of students.
One of the most harmful misconceptions is the belief that student leadership is political. This perspective undermines the very purpose of these organisations. Let me be clear: student leadership is apolitical. It is about service, responsibility, and representing the interests of learners, not influencing elections. When our work is treated as political, student programmes stall, opportunities are lost, and learners are the ones who suffer.
Beyond programme implementation, student leaders play a critical role in bridging the gap between learners and educators. We communicate student concerns, propose solutions to improve learning environments, and provide peer guidance that administrators often cannot reach. Student leaders also contribute to building confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills among learners—skills that go far beyond the classroom and prepare students for life beyond school.
It is imperative that directors, principals, and institutional authorities recognise that student leadership is a vital part of a functioning educational system. Supporting student representatives does not threaten schools or institutions; it strengthens them. It ensures that learners’ voices are heard, that programmes are implemented efficiently, and that educational environments are inclusive, supportive, and responsive to the needs of students.
We call on all authorities to remove political biases, allow student leaders to operate freely, and acknowledge the immense value these bodies bring to schools and institutions. Student leadership is not a threat; it is a bridge to progress, development, and empowerment. Ignoring or undermining it is not just a disservice to the leaders themselves; it is a disservice to all learners.
