A survey conducted by the Ombudsman for Children revealed that a majority of secondary students are against the proposal to reduce the voting age to 16, with half of those aged between 12 and 18 disagreeing with the notion. The survey, which reached out to 1,036 secondary-school children, reported that 39% supported the proposal, with the remaining respondents undecided.
Even though opposition to lowering the voting age prevailed, the majority agreed on the importance of their cohort having more influence on educational and political matters. Only a mere 7% believe that young people’s views are taken into account by politicians and influencers when it comes to decision-making involving minors.
Youth clubs have been advocating for a reduction in voting age for quite some time, and Education Minister Norma Foley hinted last May that the debate around reducing voting age to 16 was worth holding.
The survey, bearing the title ‘Tomorrow Starts with Us’, was launched on Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Ombudsman for Children’s office and was executed by Amárach Research.
On matters of curriculum alterations, a third prefer removal of the Irish subject, while 14% opted for science and 12% for history. As for subjects they would wish to explore more, the most preferred choice, by 34%, was religion, with drama and psychology also being mentioned often.
When it came to reforms in education, the most liked change, with 25% backing, was to alleviate homework and introducing more continual assessments. Students’ main concerns were living costs (44%), mental health facilities (40%), and housing (33%), whereas crime and security, immigration, and LGBTQI+ issues were among the least worrying concerns.
Discrimination and racism were reported by a notable margin of respondents, with 36% experiencing discrimination and 15% having encountered racism.
According to a survey, a majority of children, equating to 71 per cent, expressed the belief that Ireland represents an ideal country for achieving their maximum potential, characterising it as “first-rate”, “accommodating” and “extraordinary”.
Dr Niall Muldoon, the Children’s Ombudsman, has expressed significant concerns regarding the data indicating that approximately 47 per cent of children disclose they are victims of bullying, resulting in a lack of feeling heard by adults.
Dr Muldoon reiterated that the prevalence of bullying, a recurring issue reaching the Children’s Ombudsman Office, was not unexpected. However, the widespread incidence of the problem warrants serious attention, highlighting the critical need for the Department of Education to maintain its commitment to the Action Plan on Bullying, Cinealtás.
The conducted survey also drew attention to the fact that children often feel disregarded by adults, both within educational institutions and beyond. The absence of children’s voices in decision-making processes that impact them directly is in defiance of their fundamental rights as per the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, stated Dr Muldoon.
“If children feel their views are not being valued by decision-makers, educational professionals, and other adults, something’s clearly off track. I am aware that there are initiatives to incorporate children’s perspectives in various sectors, including the Department of Education. However, a more concerted effort is necessary to effectively convey to children how their inputs are being utilised”, remarked Dr Muldoon.