Entre les murs

I first saw this film last Spring in Lyon. We just saw it again for class, but I still have this lingering question. Why were there class representatives, the two girls Esmeralda and Louise, at the meeting of teachers and administrators to decide whether students would pass the grade or not? My British friend who had been living in France for many years said he thought it had something to do with "democratizing" the school system, and letting everyone have a say. As a future teacher, this sounds like the worst idea ever! What middle school girl would keep her mouth shut about everything the teachers say about other students' grades and behavior? Certainly not any that I have met, as exemplified by the situation that later occurred in the film. Is this widespread in schools and what purpose does it serve?