Mini-councils at schools mooted

The aim is to increase the youngsters’ awareness about the democratic movement and the contribution of the municipal councils.THE Manama Municipal Council has mooted the idea of setting up mini councils at public schools to update the students on Bahrain’s democratic movement.In a session, the information and public relations committee said it would take up the matter with the Ministry of Education to increase awareness among youngsters about the municipal councils and their contribution to the democratic movement, the committee head, Mohammed Abdullah Mansoor, said. “Schoolchildren can also learn about democratic practices such as elections.”“The council will discuss the proposal with schools and get feedback on the municipal councils. The mini-councils will help students experience the election process by contesting various positions. From each grade there will be representatives in the council which will suggest subjects for teaching. Mansoor said they would also propose to the ministry to send students to the councils learn the work process. “We are coordinating with the ministry to receive students who can learn about the Manama Municipality and the council. Councillors will brief them on various sections of the executive offices in the municipality.”The public relations committee also studied a proposal for the Ministry of Health to mark the International Health Day. The council is planning campaigns to create awareness about bird flu and drug abuse. “We need to raise awareness about how medicines from health centres and government hospitals are being misused. The awareness campaign will be held in April.“The committee also discussed a short-story writing competition for all writers and their stories will be used by the council in its publication. The prize for the best writer will be BD2,000. The contest will be held between mid-March and mid-April. Rules and regulations will be announced soon.”He said the committee would take part in the first municipal conference to be held from March 26 to 27, under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.