Oh, how the tables have turned! Remember the good old days when we were kids and had a say in almost nothing? Remember being constantly reminded to ‘listen to the adults’ because, obviously, they knew better? But look at us now – all grown up and having a say in some very important things. And, boy oh boy, does it feel good!

Hold your horses, though, because this feeling of adult authority might just take a hit in some European countries, where students now have a say in how their education unfolds. And guess what? They’re taking over! Is it the dawn of the Studentocracy? Possibly, and we’ve got all the juicy details for you.

Let’s zoom into Portugal, for instance, where students can now weigh in on teacher evaluations. We’re not even kidding. Back in the day, our teacher evaluations might’ve gone something like, “Miss Applebottom is super nice but has a habit of reading boring stories.” But today, Portuguese students have a chance to dish out honest, constructive feedback, which in turn influences the decisions made in the educational realm.

A recent survey involving 300,000 students found that they appreciate being part of the process and even rated their own performance more accurately than adults predicted. The youth are getting their voice heard and it’s a wonderful thing.

Next stop: Ireland, where pupils don’t just have a say in education-related matters, they even get to suggest how to improve their school environment. Ahem, where were these awesome rights when we were sweating through tests and not understanding the importance of the Pythagorean theorem?

But we digress. Students now are playing a key role in improving their schools by having the opportunity to create school-related projects. Think about it – they are taking matters into their own hands, making their school days even more interesting, and ensuring that their schools reflect the young voices in their care.

Last but not least, Germany gets the cool kid award for involving students in designing the curriculum. That’s right, they’re actually co-designing their own classes! The ‘Learning Workshop’ project, for example, enables students to collaborate with teachers and administrators to set the framework for their lessons. A time where the young minds decide their own fate, how progressive!

In summary, Europe seems to be embracing the ‘youthocracy,’ where students have a more significant role in shaping their education, with tangible benefits for all involved. Are we a tad bit jealous of this newfound student authority? You bet we are. But, hey, let’s give credit where it’s due, and celebrate the revolution that’s unfolding. Rock on, Studentocracy!