The school as a place of democratic participation, sociability and active learning. Students’ voice on the student movement and school occupation in the 2021-2022 school year

Abstract

The article presents data that emerged in an exploratory idiographic study on Student Voice, with an ecological-phenomenological matrix. The study involved 37 students from 10 secondary schools in the province of Milan who took part in and/or organized occupations and produced student manifestos during the 2021-2022 school year. The study explored the students’ views on the occupation experience, what it meant to participate in school, ideas, demands and proposals for change at school. The results highlight how students recognize the invaluable role of school - as a place for relationships, sociability and an arena for democratic participation - demonstrating willingness to change some aspects in order to experience it as citizens.