I had never paid much attention to this announcement, which is broadcast every day at 5:00 p.m. ▼This year, however, things were different during the period of preparation for the school festival. Last year, it was taken for granted that we would stay until around 8:00 p.m. as the festival approached. This year, however, we were repeatedly reminded to leave the school premises by 6:00 p.m. and observe a “complete dismissal.” If we think about it calmly, this is only natural: if a dismissal time has been established, it should be observed. ▼
Here, I would like to borrow two terms: “de jure,” a Latin phrase meaning “according to law or rule,” and “de facto,” meaning “in fact” or “in practice.” The dismissal time this year made me think about the difference between these two concepts. De jure, our dismissal time was 6:00 p.m. De facto, however, staying at school until around 8:00 p.m. to prepare for the festival had become the norm. ▼
The same could be said of smartphone use on school premises. Last year, under then Student Council President Funakoshi, an effort was made to review the school rules, but it did not ultimately lead to a change. The reason I did not include this issue in my campaign platform this time is that I questioned whether it was worthwhile to devote a great deal of effort merely to turning a de facto practice into a de jure rule. ▼
The fact that there is a gap between rules and reality does not necessarily mean that the rules are wrong. Nor can we simply dismiss the issue by saying, “That’s how things have always been.” Once something has been established as a provision of the Student Council Constitution or the school rules, there is also value in ensuring that it is observed. Our call for the regular holding of class student councils is based on the same principle. Despite the Student Council Constitution stipulating that they should be held once a month, they are not included in the annual school schedule. ▼
The circumstances have changed since the time we decided to run for office. Even if we are now in a position where graduation is approaching, the fact that we have been Takamatsu High School students does not change. It is the students currently attending this school who have the power to decide what they want their alma mater to be. ▼
Perhaps this is nothing more than a mantis raising its forelegs against a sword. Even so, the ones with the power to change the situation are the “Student Council,” and, at its core, the “Student Council Executive Committee.” The next Student Council President election will be held in November.