Local Outcome 3: Children’s Rights enshrined in school life in East Dunbartonshire

One of the priorities of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Education Service is placing the human needs and rights of every child and young person at the centre of education, integrating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) legislation in policy and practice. 

Many aspects of this have been achieved through establishing a forum of pupil representatives from every school across East Dunbartonshire. The pupils themselves chose to name the forum ‘My Voice, My Choice’, and members have received training in understanding UNCRC principles and gathering the voice of all children and young people in their own school setting. 

During academic year 2023/24 the forum participated in sessions delivered by:

• Global citizenship organisation WOSEDC
• Poverty Action Group
• The Council’s Community Planning team
• My Rights My Say Advocacy Service.

All ‘My Voice, My Choice’ members were brought together at a Children’s Rights event held at Kirkintilloch High School in June 2024.  

Chief Education Officer, Greg Bremner, said, “The Children’s Rights event, organised by the Council’s Quality Improvement Team, was an opportunity for members of the pupil forum to showcase the work they have been doing in their own schools and the progress they have made. It also gave them a platform to share ideas and learn from one another; their enthusiasm for embedding UNCRC principles within their school communities was really encouraging to see.  

“Each participant received a Dynamic Youth Award in recognition of their hard work and their commitment to the pupil forum, and I look forward to seeing their ideas and contributions continue to shape children’s rights within our schools in the future.”