Participatory budgeting for the Children’s Parliament (2022-2023)
Siilinjärvi primary schools will get to decide how the €10 000 is spent. The pupils’ councils of the primary schools were allowed to submit a proposal on how the money should be used. It was recommended that as many people as possible should enjoy the proposal.
The Children’s Parliament decided on the proposal to be implemented in March at its meeting on 29.3.23. The Children’s Parliament is attended by representatives of the student councils of each primary school. In addition, the chairmen of the municipal council, the council and the education committee, the mayor and the director of education attended the meeting, but they did not have the right to vote on the proposal.
The Children’s Parliament chose the Kasurila school proposal as the proposal to be implemented. The proposal is to add basketball hoops (and new basketballs), a climbing wall and benches in the Kasurila schoolyard for the enjoyment of older pupils. In addition, an Airtrack gymnastics mat will be purchased for the school’s sports hall, which can also be lent to other schools for gym sessions. The selected proposal will be implemented during the 2023-2024 school year at the latest.
Grounds for the proposal
The proposal should be implemented, as we are currently having to argue and queue for our existing flash devices. There is only one basketball hoop in our school yard, so proper games can’t be played and not everyone who wants to can get a shot during recess. Our basketballs have either disappeared or burst. Climbing is a favourite pastime of our students during recess. So a climbing wall would be a dream come true for climbers looking for a challenge. Big pupils would also like to have a few benches in the schoolyard. The fifth and sixth graders may no longer be interested in playing, so there should be comfortable places to hang out.
Of course, the improvement of the equipment would primarily benefit the pupils of Kasurila school, but also the families living in the area. The Kasurila schoolyard is a great place for local people to exercise, so they would also be delighted to have a good place to play.
An Airtrack gym mat would be necessary for the rack gymnastics sessions, as our gym mat situation is not great. We have the skills to do all sorts of tricks, but we don’t have proper mattresses. It would be great if tricks could be done safely without the need for proper mattresses and dragging around old and tired mattresses. The Airtrack would therefore benefit the students at Kasurila school, but it could also be loaned to other schools for their scaffolding sessions, so other schools could also benefit from this purchase.
Other proposals
Hamula school: pool table and 2 table tennis tables
Idea: a pool table and 2 ping pong tables for Hamula school. The table could be used to play pool, see friends and have indoor recess. All tables would be placed indoors.
Rationale: There are quite a few activities inside during the break. There are not many indoor recess activities in the school. Sometimes it would be fun to be inside during recess. The table tennis table could also be used in PE and other subjects.
Kehvo school: new climbing frame
Idea: a new and bigger climbing frame for the Kehvo schoolyard
Reasons: the existing stands in the yard are small and there are many users. Families who visit the school in the evenings and on weekends also benefit from the use of the scaffolding.
Kuuslahti school: more movement in the recess period
Idea: The school has few intact recess equipment. We would like to buy more to get all the students more excited about getting more exercise during recess. We would buy slides, durable snow shovels, slide poles, street slides, new balls (basketball, soccer balls), skipping rods, skipping sticks, etc. to encourage more children to take part in recess.
Rationale: All pupils would benefit from this, as the new equipment would encourage both older and younger pupils to move more freely in recess at any time of the year. The acquisition of this equipment would certainly encourage pupils of different ages to get more involved in activities together.
Pöljä school: sports equipment
Idea: basketball stands (2 pcs), ice hockey goals with side nets (2 pcs) in the recess area of Pöljä school. More intact footballs and volleyball sticks for the sports store. Carousel etc. in the school yard.
Rationale: Both pupils and adults in the school will benefit from the idea.
Siilinlahti School: towards heights and beyond
Idea: a multi-purpose climbing and tricks facility near the Siilinlahti beach (e.g. in addition to the existing sports area)
Rationale: To activate children and young people of different ages (and adults too) in leisure activities. The Siilinlahti school can also use the track for school sports. The location is excellent, especially in summer, when many families with children and young people enjoy pedalling along the popular beach area.
Toivala school: the joy of exercise – billiards and ping pong
Idea: to buy 2 outdoor ping pong tables, 2 indoor ping pong tables and 1 pool table for Toivala school. The tables can be used during lessons and breaks.
Rationale: Making a wish come true brings a lot of joy and something to do during the lessons. It would bring more variety to PE lessons. The pupils would be able to concentrate better during lessons. It would also improve pupils’ health and team spirit. A change of pace at break times is invigorating.
Vuorela school: a ring around the local sports area
Idea: Get a tire swing for the Vuorela schoolyard.
Reason: Children like to swing and there is no tire swing in the schoolyard. The school children like to play in the playground and the tire swing is not available in the school yard.