Best Practice: Cygnaeus-lukio

DEFENDING OF A SCHOOL

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

Background for the students' action
In April 2005, our previous plan to rebuild and extend the old school building was rejected by the town authorities. This came as a total surprise to everybody involved, students and teachers who for years had been planning together the new school at that location. This sudden change of plan was felt as a betrayal of what had been agreed on before by town officials.

Concrete action
All of Cygnaeus-lukio students, led by the student body council, decided to rise to oppose the decision: they organized a protest march to the Town Hall and they also invited and involved other high schools in this demonstration. Further, they sent a delegation to town authorities to present their case.
They demonstrated how active, responsible citizens react in a society which seems to break earlier agreements.

The participation of the students in school life: tutoring, responsibility for their studies, school environment: school as a common learning society.

Evaluation
In this case, the students' actions reflected concern not only for their own school years (1-2 years) but also for the future generations. A sense of togetherness, true "Cygnaeus spirit" motivated them to protest and to think of the common good.
And we are happy to say that that same spirit has been transferred to the new school building where we had to move in August 2007. The students have continued to do their share in making the new building Ža homeŽ for all.
The students' actions eased the deep disappointment felt by staff who had worked years for the previous plan. Also the positive attitude of the students towards the new school building and making it our own was of great value.

DISSEMINATION AND PUBLICATIONS
Good coverage by major local newspaper, and local radio.