By rdnewsNOW staff

making a difference

Thurber student to sit on Minister’s Youth Council for second year

Oct 2, 2024 | 12:57 PM

A grade 12 student at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School will sit for a second year on the Education Minister’s Youth Council.

Fahd Mohamed is one of 40 students from across the province representing diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives on the youth council.

“We meet three times a year with the first and last meeting taking place in Edmonton, and the second meeting taking place over Zoom,” said Fahd. “Over the weekend, we work with the Minister (of Education) for legislation, we have a First Nations and Métis representative come in, we listen to lectures about public speaking and policy making, and other topics.”

Students engage in several initiatives throughout the year, ones that are aimed at empowering them as leaders and helping them grow positive working relationships.

“We go into groups and have various discussions. The minister’s members’ goal was to gather as much information as they can over the weekend, and develop an idea that we would talk with the Minister face-to-face about on the last day,” added Fahd.

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“The minister hears our ideas, writes them down, and then proposes them to his higher-ups.”

One topic discussed last year was restricting the use of mobile devices and social media in schools.

“Our input had some influence on the current cell phone policy,” said Fahd. “So that is really cool to see.”

Fahd also recognizes that he may have different perspectives than students from a smaller community.

“Everyone has something to offer. Because I am in a bigger city, I might not have the same opinions as someone coming from a smaller city who does not have the same opportunities,” he said.

“But there might be things that I miss about a smaller city that has things that we don’t. It’s an experience that is very rewarding. You start to feel like you have great ideas and a voice. Everyone can do things to help the province.”

He said more people should apply for programs like this so as to influence things that are bigger than one’s self.

(with files from Red Deer Public Schools)

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