Students with a mandate in Biotechnicum in Bocholt

'Less exams, more trees!'

"As a pupil, you are considered for full and you can help decide what your school will look like," Sam Janssen (18) and Milan Claes (13) are saying. How cool is that? The election of the 'MOS pupil council' at the Biotechnicum in Bocholt was therefore an important day for them.

Milan Claes jumps up from the bench where he was sitting, although his army rucksack keeps him close to the ground. "Phew," he says. "It's time". The sun throws its warmth onto the playground. The hip-hop music that had just been blaring from the speakers has stopped. "I am nervous," says Milan. "I'm afraid I won't be elected."

On this third Thursday of September, in the Biotechnicum in Bocholt, a secondary agricultural school in the upper right-hand corner of Limburg, the tension has been palpable all morning. As always at the beginning of a new school year, three student councils are elected today, responsible for 'general policy' (the blue list), 'sports and games' (the yellow list) and 'MOS' (the green list). Each council has about twelve members and in a moment teacher Geert Heynickx, who is in charge of the MOS projects at this school, will announce the election results.

Unlike Ivan De Vadder (a Belgian journalist, Editor's note) during the election marathons on public television, he does not have a screen full of red, green, orange, blue, yellow and brown bars behind him, but a window with a poster stuck to it. The poster reads, 'The power of connection'. "The votes have been counted", says Mr Heynickx into his microphone. "You may gather here before me."

Climax

The announcement of the results is the climax of a week full of election fever. Candidates were recruited and lists drawn up, explanations were given on how to vote validly, polling booths were set up in the dining hall and this morning every student went to vote separately; at the Biotechnicum, compulsory voting still applies. With pencil and paper, they did so, under the supervision of some teachers who served as attendants. Without realising it himself, Milan takes another step forward. Mr Heynickx clears his throat, taps the microphone bulb and then says: "If you are elected, we ask you to come and stand here at my right hand side and wait for the group photo later."

45 out of 448 pupils stood for election this year. Milan, who is thirteen and belongs to class 2B1, has set his mind on a seat on the MOS council. He comes to school by bike every day, even though he lives fifteen kilometres away. Not only is he brimming with energy, he also finds the environment 'super important'. He does not yet have any concrete programme points, except perhaps: 'Fewer exams! The question is how to save the climate with that. I don't know', he laughs. But it will probably gain him a lot of goodwill from his classmates, who are, after all, his voting public. "Have I secretly paid my friends to vote for me? No, of course not. I just like being allowed to interfere with school. In other schools, students are not allowed to say anything, but here they can. That is great. What else would I like to change besides 'Less exams'? More trees!"

Next to Milan, a taller, older boy is staring at the tips of his shoes. His name is Sam, Sam Janssen. He is eighteen, studies Biotechnical Sciences and has been on the MOS pupil council of the Biotechnicum for three years. "For next year, I am thinking of studying Biology or Environmental Management", he says. "I dream of a job as an educator in a nature project. But first I want to commit myself this school year." Next to Sam, a 'pedagogical tree' hangs on the wall, highlighting the three pillars of the Biotechnicum: responsibility, respect, health.

The school has been awarded the internationally recognised Eco-School label, a programme of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) for schools working on sustainability and pupil participation, seven times already. The last time was in May 2021. The Green Flag hanging on the playground is tangible proof that all the Eco Schools criteria are met and that the Biotechnicum is a pioneer in the field of sustainability.

Green heart

For Sam, it all started with his grandfather, he says, with whom he often went out to watch butterflies and birds. The hen harrier and four red kites, among others, were whizzing through the Limburg sky like a squadron of fighter planes when Sam spotted them. At home, in the garden, he could spend hours looking at beetles, caterpillars and worms. It was hard to keep him away from nature, and computer games were of little interest to him. Since he has been able to show off his green heart at school, he has gained in self-confidence.

"I am most proud of the Atalanta project," says Sam, "at the back of our garden. The ecological Atalanta garden lies between the large stable and the adjacent primary school. It was realised with support from the province of Limburg and is expanding every year. Under the impulse of the MOS pupils' council, fruit trees have been added, an outdoor classroom made of wood, a pond, a measuring station, flower meadows full of butterflies and bees, a nesting box to attract the kestrel and very recently a compost heap that can now heat the greenhouses.

"What we used to do on location, we now try to do in the school environment itself", says Geert Heynickx. "And we involve the pupils in every step. We notice that this helps: every year we conduct a survey into their well-being and 95 per cent of our students enjoy coming to school."

Sam is one of them, that much is clear. "I am also happy with the smaller projects", he continues. "Like the greening of the playground, the new litter bins and the arrival of a couple of drinking fountains, which we as MOS pupil council helped to arrange." In his final year at the Biotechnicum, Sam would like to have some extra benches placed in the green area of the playground. "And in addition: maybe some more lessons in the open air? Now it happens occasionally, but still not enough in my opinion. It's much nicer to have lessons in the fresh air, in a circle or something, than always sitting inside on our chairs."

Nevertheless, Sam is very happy here. "From the very first day, I felt at home at this school. You really are someone here, you are regarded as a pupil and you get to help decide what your school will look like: how cool is that? In the council you also learn to discuss and listen, and I will certainly be able to use that later."

Yes!

And then, finally, we are going to announce the results for the MOS council. As good as all the election results have been announced by now. Geert Heynickx builds up the tension some more. On the list of the second-year students... Milan Claes! Cheering from under the army rucksack. Another jump, a little higher this time.

And on the list of the sixth year: Sam Janssen! A broad smile now appears on Sam's face as well. "Yes", he says, pushing his glasses a bit higher on his nose. Sam eventually receives 59 votes, a remarkable high score. With his plea for fewer exams and more trees, Milan convinced 28 fellow pupils to vote for him.

But only now the real work begins: every other month a meeting, fervent deliberation about the goals to be reached, at the end of the year a closing moment "to celebrate what has been achieved". The formation round will go smoothly, it seems: after taking a group photo with all the elected members, Sam and Milan give each other a fistful of laughter. Two nice boys, ready to spread their wings.

The bell rings. Rows are formed. The elections are over, it is time for lessons in Dutch, French and Chemistry. Soon, these will undoubtedly take place more and more in the open air.

A report by Always Hungry and Lander Deweer (2021)