Press release
Minister Zappone launches #TeachMeAsMe campaign to promote individuality in schools
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, and the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive today launched the Social Media Campaign #TeachMeAsMe to promote individuality in schools.
The campaign is a result of Dáil na nÓg 2017, where young people voted for Equality in Schools as the most pressing topic for young people in Ireland. Individuality was identified as a key aspect of promoting equality in schools, and the #TeachMeAsMe campaign aims to start a national conversation about the importance of respecting the individuality of young people.
Launching the campaign, Minister Zappone said:
"The #TeachMeAsMe campaign was formed due to the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive identifying individuality as a key aspect of equality in schools. They want schools to be inspired to improve their stance on individuality by highlighting all the positive examples of how schools can support individuality."
“I believe that the most important aspect of listening to young people is ensuring that their voices are heard, taken seriously and most importantly, that young people feel that positive sense of equality and individuality in schools. #TeachMeAsMe aims to do just that.”
Students can also enter a competition aiming to find the best examples of schools around the country supporting their students in expressing their individuality. The campaign runs from 7th October 2019 to 8th November 2019. Students can send in a video or photograph reflecting what individuality means to them and what their schools have done to promote it.
Young people and adults in the education space are encouraged to share campaign videos using the hashtag #TeachMeAsMe .
The Competition
Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 are encouraged to submit a one minute video or a photo after watching the ‘’How To’’ video made by the National Executive. Each entry must be accompanied by a parental consent form and an assent form.
Entries can be submitted as a (i) Group Video, (ii) Photograph or (iii) Individual Video.
The competition closes on Friday, 8 November 2019.
Prizes include:
More information can be found on the Comhairle na nÓg website www.comhairlenanog.ie.
ENDS
Comhairle na nÓg
Comhairle na nÓg are child and youth councils in the 31 local authorities of the country, which give children and young people the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies.
Comhairle na nÓg allows young people’s voices to be heard in two ways; by working on topics of importance to young people and acting as a consultative forum for adult decision-makers at a local level.
One representative from each of the 31 Comhairlí na nÓg is elected to the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, which follows up on the recommendations from Dáil na nÓg, the national parliament for young people aged 12-18 years, to make changes for young people in those areas.
Important work has been done and continues to be undertaken by the National Executive such as; the launch of ‘So How Was School Today?’ report which was presented before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills, the national launch of ‘Let’s Go Mental’ and presentations to TDs and Senators for a project ‘Your Comhairle Needs You”. I believe that this campaign will match the success of these previous projects undertaken by previous National Executives.
Competition Guidelines
When submitting a competition entry, candidates are asked to consider the following:
-Pick an example of when their school respected them as an individual
-Be positive – the National Executive want to find out the good stuff that is happening out there
-Speak clearly, be themselves, be funny, be an individual
-Think outside the box - feel free to use animation or any other creative means to tell their story
-No bad language
-Film in landscape mode
-No copyrighted music
-If using music or sounds, make sure they can be heard
-Re-watch a couple of times and make sure it is clear and concise and that they are happy with the content before they submit it
-Email their video / photograph and accompanying forms to info@comhairlenanog.ie using WeTransfer if necessary.
Rules for entry into the competition:
Competition prizes: