Santos: Student Ombudsperson

The “Student Ombudsperson” project in Santos consisted of an innovative initiative that empowers students from municipal schools, transforming them into active agents and monitors of their own educational environments. By establishing a formal Ombudsman channel managed by the students themselves, the practice subverts the traditional dynamic and grants young people a structured and representative voice to identify problems, propose solutions, and mediate conflicts, promoting genuine civic participation from the ground up. This approach redefines the student’s role from mere beneficiary to protagonist in building a fairer, more transparent, and more effective educational environment, directly connecting the school experience to municipal governance.

The communication strategy was comprehensive and focused on democratizing access, using social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), meetings with parents and teachers, classroom presentations, printed materials (posters, flyers), and the City Hall website and Citizen Portal, in addition to events such as the Municipal Meeting of Student Ombudspersons. This multichannel approach ensured that information about the Ombudsman’s functioning and benefits reached all segments of the school community, overcoming barriers and encouraging participation, while promoting continuous and inclusive engagement.

The most innovative aspect lies in youth empowerment and the redefinition of the student’s role. The inclusion of students from municipal schools is crucial for social cohesion, ensuring that all voices are heard, including those related to gender or disability. Student Ombudspersons are elected by their peers and receive training to act as mediators and spokespersons, integrating into a local governance system that promotes autonomy and critical thinking.

Monitoring and sustainability are ensured through a continuous cycle of evaluation and adaptation. Periodic reports from the Student Ombudspersons, satisfaction surveys, and school climate assessments provide essential feedback from the community. The results are used to improve training, adjust methodologies, and refine the school administration’s response. The annual election of new ombudspersons and the institutional support of the Department of Education ensure the continuity of the practice, allowing it to dynamically adapt to changes and needs, maintaining its relevance and effectiveness.

The impact of the initiative is broad: thousands of students have been empowered, and the school community has gained a transparent channel for expressing demands. This has directly influenced public policies on infrastructure, teaching, and school coexistence, contributing to the institutionalization of participatory democracy in Santos. The project has cultivated critical thinking and civic responsibility, demonstrating that youth protagonism is a powerful tool for more inclusive and effective public management.

Collaboration and coordination were fundamental, involving a diverse ecosystem: the Municipal Ombudsman’s Office, the Department of Education, Municipal Schools, the Students themselves (Ombudspersons and the student community), parents, and School Councils. Responsibilities are shared: the Department of Education provides support and training; Schools implement and monitor the initiative; and Students act on the front line in identifying problems and proposing solutions. The practice is aligned with cross-cutting policies on citizenship education, democratic school management, and public transparency, complementing other participatory mechanisms and strengthening local governance in a transparent and accountable manner.

Learn more: 

https://www.santos.sp.gov.br/?q=noticia/projetos-santistas-das-areas-ambiental-e-de-governanca-publica-sao-finalistas-de-premio-populacao-pode-votar 

https://www.oidp.net/docs/repo/doc1847.pdf 

https://www.oidp.net/docs/repo/doc1848.pdf