Jacob Gair is running for a seat on School District 69's board of trustees, representing the Parksville/ Qualicum Beach/ French Creek area.
"It is interesting that the representation and engagement of youth in our education system, apart from the actual attendance of schools, is so exceedingly low," Gair said in a news release.
"It is for our youth that the school system exists and as such it is stunning that this section of society has the least representation in the decision making process."
"That youths are not represented among the controlling bodies of the educational system creates a significant divide between what is desired by the students and what is made available to them," Gair continued.
"Reconciling this disparity completely may well be impossible; that being said, one may find that increasing youth representation amongst the school board trustees may be the first step in bridging this divide."
"I am an alumni of the public education system, having graduated from Kwalicum Secondary School in 2012. I am currently in my third year of a double major in History and Political Science. My hope in running for election is to provide to the board of trustees a youth perspective that will allow them to better anticipate the needs of the student body."