How to teach democracy in the classroom?

What is democracy?

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According to wikipedia democracy is a system where all its members have equal rights in decision-making that can change their lives. Democracy allows its citizens or members to participate either directly or through representation in the formulation, development and law-making. Democracy includes the social, economic, and cultural conditions that allow freedom and equal freedom of political practice.

Simply democracy is a system that involves all parties in decision making. Currently democratic system is considered the best system in running an organization, whether large organizations such as state or small organizations such as associations or communities.

Well, can the democratic system be used in the classroom? Is the democratic system applicable in schools that involve teachers and children? Of course, I can.

In some countries the denomination system in the classroom has been applied. Starting from the election of the class leader to the assignment of work. All through one deal. But some are still using authoritarian systems in the classroom. Whatever the teacher asks is mandatory. So, how to apply the democratic system in the classroom? Here are some things to watch out for.

Teachers must understand democracy

The first thing to do is the teacher must understand democracy. Teachers should learn that democracy in the classroom is very important to educate children to be confident and independent. Thus the learning process will become active. Learning process must be two way.

Selection of class leader

Democracy must be taught as early as possible and in various ways. One way to teach democracy is the selection of class leaders. Teacher should not appoint a student to become a spontaneous class leader. The class leader should be selected and through several stages. The first must propose itself or be submitted.

Hearings

The healthiest democratic process is to accommodate aspirations. In the classroom teachers should not be authoritarian. Master must be a good manager. Listen to each student's opinion. If the teacher immediately broke the student's opinion without listening to it then the students no longer have the confidence.

Deliberation

In a democracy, the musyawarah system becomes very important. Jila class is facing a problem then invite students to think together. Like for example a dirty class. There is a good teacher indirectly ordered the students to clean it but invite them to deliberation. Understand the dirty class will bring illness and discomfort. Thus the pupil will wake up and will keep the class clean.

Regards,
M. Fajarli Iqbal
Author and Educator