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Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone and the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive today launched the Social Media Campaign #TeachMeAsMe to promote individuality in schools.

The campaign is a result of Dáil na nÓg 2017, where young people voted for Equality in Schools as the most pressing topic for young people in Ireland. Individuality was identified as a key aspect of promoting equality in schools, and the #TeachMeAsMe campaign aims to start a national conversation about the importance of respecting the individuality of young people.

Launching the campaign Minister Zappone said:

The #TeachMeAsMe campaign was formed due to the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive identifying individuality as a key aspect of equality in schools. They want schools to be inspired to improve their stance on individuality by highlighting all the positive examples of how schools can support individuality.

I believe that the most important aspect of listening to young people is ensuring that their voices are heard, taken seriously and most importantly, that young people feel that positive sense of equality and individuality in schools. #TeachMeAsMe aims to do just that.

Students can also enter a competition aiming to find the best examples of schools around the country supporting their students in expressing their individuality. The campaign runs from 7^th October 2019 to 8^th November 2019. Students can send in a video or photograph reflecting what individuality means to them and what their schools have done to promote it.

Young people and adults in the education space are encouraged to share campaign videos, using the hashtag #TeachMeAsMe.

The Competition

Young people between the ages of 12 and 18 are encouraged to submit a one minute video or a photo after watching the ‘’How To’’ video made by the National Executive. Each entry must be accompanied by a parental consent form and an assent form.

Entries can be submitted as a (i) Group Video, (ii) Photograph or (iii) Individual Video.

The competition closes on Friday, 8^th November 2019. Prizes include:

•        €250 one-for-all voucher - group video  
•         €50 one-for-all voucher  - photo
•        €100 one-for-all voucher  - individual video

More information can be found on the Comhairle na nÓg website https://www.comhairlenanog.ie/ .