Commercial-Free Schools

What you can do: Students

School represents valuable time and space purchased by the Irish taxpayer in the interest if students and society – it is not be sold to commercial interests. Students of all ages deserve to be treated as “citizens” not merely “consumers” and we believe they mustn’t be a captive audience for commercial exploitation. In a wealthy country such as Ireland it is unacceptable that students have to collect vouchers to resources core areas of their education. The Union of Secondary Students supports our Campaign and individual students can also be active in the defence of their right to a commercial-free education.

• Join the Campaign for Commercial-Free Education to find out about in school marketing and advertising in Ireland and abroad. Understand why companies target you and your peers in school and what can be done about it.
• Raise this issue among your friends or Student Council. Explain your views on commercial schemes and seek support among fellow students.
• Speak to your teachers and explain that you don’t wish them to partake in commercial schemes. Call for the removal of commercial material from the school site and offer support for non-commercial alternatives.
• Contact the Campaign for Commercial-Free Education if you or your school are not partaking in a commercial scheme – we’ll support and promote your position.
• Offer to help with formulating an agreed school policy to reduce the level of advertising students are exposed to and reinforce the educational mission of the school. Examine the Campaign for Commercial-Free Education’s Template Policy.
  

Contact us today for details.