Irish Second–Level Students' Union
| Irish Second-Level Students' Union Aontas na Mac Leinn Iarbhunscoile | |
|---|---|
 | |
| President | Leon Egan |
| Founded | August 2008 |
| Headquarters | Liberty Hall |
| International affiliation | OBESSU |
| Website | www.issu.ie |
The Irish Second–Level Students' Union (ISSU) is Ireland's national umbrella body for second-level students working through the student council network in second-level schools. ISSU represents post-primary school students nationwide.
ISSU's activities have three stated strands: it aims to provide training, guidance and advice to students and to equip them with the skills needed to become involved in the decision-making processes in their own school communities; and it aims to work with other organisations to bring the views of secondary school students to the attention of policy-makers and the media; and it aims to provide services to the membership of ISSU on the principle that control of those services lies with the membership.
ISSU was founded in August 2008, from the remains of the Union of Secondary Students (USS) which had been in existence from 2001 to 2008. It is a member of the Organising Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) and the National Youth Council of Ireland.
During September 2009, ISSU modified its name from the Irish Secondary Students' Union to the Irish Second–Level Students' Union to encompass all Irish post-primary schools.
In October 2009, ISSU launched the ISSU Scholar Card - a card for second-level students' aged between 12–18. The national rollout of the card began in November 2009.
ISSU's aims
- To provide training and aid the development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
- To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
- To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
- To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland, and Europe.
- To work with education curriculum policy makers and teachers' unions to develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
- To give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student would be heard.
Structure
Monitoring and Advisory Committee (MAC) – The MAC committee oversees the work of ISSU, provides guidance to the National Student Executive, and provides advice on the finances of the organisation. This committee is composed of representatives from Ireland's education and youth organisations, past ISSU officers and is chaired by the ISSU General Secretary.
National Student Executive (NSE) – The National Student Executive (NSE) undertake the day-to-day running of the organisation. Led by the ISSU President, the NSE comprises various officers elected at the ISSU AGM to look after various aspects of student life. Officers include: Deputy President (Campaigns and Communications), Education, Welfare, Equality, Oifigeach na Gaeilge, International Officer, Student Council Support Officer, Secretary, Public Relations Officer and Honorary President.
National Council – The National Council provides a link from the National Student Executive to the ground-roots level of the organisation, linking students via their Regional Council of Schools officer to the ISSU National Council and National Student Executive. Each region elects an ISSU Regional Council of Schools Officer. The National Council is chaired by the ISSU Student Council Support Officer who also sits on the ISSU National Student Executive and acts as the link between the two. There are 5 ISSU regional council regions - Munster Area, Leinster Area, Connaught Area, Ulster area and the greater Dublin Area.