Student participation – simulation or reality? A vignette from the Macedonian network of health promoting schools

This paper addresses the concept of student participation in learning processes within the health promoting schools approach. A model is used as a broad analytical framework to discuss selected aspects of the evaluation data on the Internet‐based collaborative project titled “Virtual Classroom – ICT, Learning and Changes”, recently undertaken within the Macedonian health promoting schools network. The qualitative, participatory evaluation showed positive views on the part of both the students and teachers concerning the degree and quality of student participation in the project. However, the students' indicated that the traditional, didactic teaching/learning style still predominates in Macedonian schools. The students perceived this project as exclusive, special and extraordinary. A suggestion is made in the conclusion that a broader reform on a structural level is needed in order to sustain positive change and bring health education/promotion closer to the democratic ideal.