Visit from ÖBV: Janina Hofmann’s impressions of our school assembly

At the WUK Schüler*innenschule, students and teachers make important decisions about school life together. But how does that actually work?

“Will you join in? Then let’s have a minute of silence,” announces a student with a clipboard in front of the climbing wall. “For peace,” adds a teacher. About sixty children and four adults are sitting on gym benches, mats, and even windowsills in the school gym. It’s time for their weekly assembly, where school matters are decided democratically. The sessions are moderated by the students themselves—today it’s two boys, members of the assembly group, who gather topics with the help of a teacher and organize the meeting.

“Tomorrow is our Open Day. Who wants to give tours?” Almost every hand goes up. A teacher checks with a group: “Are you joining the physics activity? We’re making bubble tea.” A few hands go down again. The student moderator continues: “Everyone who wants to give tours, meet Alex at 2:30 today for a briefing.”

The agenda is full: Which courses will run? Who wants to help in the circus workshop? “Think about whether someone dares to do the math presentation, even if visitors are there. That would be good—we still have some open slots.”

When some students start chatting, the designated “peacekeepers” step in—also part of the assembly group. After a short exchange, the group settles down again.

Next comes a decision on forest days, held five times a year, when students spend a whole day outdoors without phones or organized entertainment. Last time, many built huts and dams. Do the students want more forest days? More hiking? Voices are raised for and against. One boy suggests: “What about a whole forest week?” Murmurs of “yes!” and “nooo…” fill the room. “Okay, let’s vote!” calls one moderator.

A student records the key points and decisions in the assembly book. Topics range widely: a costume week, a visit from a local police officer, plans for a school dance, and the question of whether helping with setup and cleaning could count as social service hours. Some are disappointed that the day after the school dance won’t be a day off—but they settle on a shared breakfast instead.

The students value their voice: “I love this school. It’s important that we can decide together, because we’re part of the school. Teachers don’t see everything,” says one older student. A younger boy adds: “The assembly is cool because you can cast your vote. Everyone should be able to share their opinion! At my old school, it was nothing like this.” His friend agrees: “In regular schools, the teachers decide everything. Here we get to shape what happens—and that means there are activities I really enjoy. I don’t just learn German and math, but also how to build friendships and work together.”

Others stress the social side: “Co-determination is important because it makes you feel comfortable and ensures no one gets overlooked.” Another student says: “We even like coming to school more because we can help decide. We each create our own timetable at the beginning of the year. That makes it so much more fun.”

Of course, democracy also has its challenges: “Sometimes the assembly is long or a bit tiring. But it’s worth it! It’s fun to be part of decisions and to hear what’s happening in school.”

The longest assembly in the school’s history was about smartphone rules—debated for months, with different trial solutions. Although many found the week without phones the nicest, socially, no consensus could be reached. In the end—rarely at this school—the teachers decided on a full ban. “We expected a big outcry,” says school head Claudia Gerhartl. “But the disappointment was far less than we thought.” Students still hold differing views, but because they normally decide almost everything, the rule hasn’t changed the democratic spirit.

The last item on every agenda is the Friday program: a day outside the regular timetable with changing workshops that students can sign up for. “The assembly is over. Please don’t all run to the sign-up sheets at once!” The room bursts into cheerful chaos—because despite their democratic responsibility, they are still just kids.

The WUK Schüler*innenschule is one of Austria’s oldest democratic alternative schools. It is a private, full-day comprehensive school with public recognition for grades 5 to 9.