Craig McHugh’s election poster
17-year-old Dundalk Grammar School student Craig McHugh was elected president of the Irish Secondary Students’ Union on Wednesday after fighting off competition from across the island at the ballot box.
Craig announced his interest for running as president only last Sunday after a friend had recommended his characteristics and qualities would suit the role better than his earlier decision for running as PRO.
The elections took place as part of the 2014-2015 ISSU AGM, which were held at Liberty Hall and was attended by over 100 delegates representing schools from across Ireland.
Craig’s day was filled with canvassing for votes and speaking to the delegates about what he felt he could do to help the students of Ireland.
He said: “As president I will campaign diligently for reform in second level education in Ireland, if the students have ideas then those ideas should be put forward to the people who can make them become a reality.”
Craig also spoke from the heart in the run up to the election, saying: “We need to ensure that students taking the new junior cycle course receive a high quality of education with assessment that can be quantified across the nation.
“I want my brother, who starts first year in September, to have just as good if not better an education experience than I did.”
Craig’s passion for reform in second level education was mainly tailored around focusing on the importance of Career Guidance teachers in second level schools and catering for those who do not take up LCVP or Transition Year to offer them the opportunity of work placements as part of a more practical and efficient education system.
He said: “We need more practical experience in our education so that we can make better decisions for our college choices like work placements. These shouldn’t be exclusive to LCVP or TY Students, as well as that career guidance teachers, we need more of them and we need more time with them.”
Craig will be officially introduced to the role of president next Friday by outgoing president Mark Caffrey next Friday at the ISSU’s first meeting of the new executive in Dublin.
Craig told Talk of the Town he is very excited about leading such a passionate group of young people as representatives of Irish students.
“I am truly honoured to have been elected as president of the ISSU, the work this union has done and continues to do on behalf of Irish students is remarkable, and I am thrilled to be in the position I have been bestowed with. I look forward to an exciting year representing this body and working with some of the most articulate and diligent young people in the country.”
