School authorities have been told by the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, to give pupils a say in decision-making by setting up student councils in their schools.
Speaking in Dublin, Dr Woods said the councils represented the best way to give students a forum.
Student councils or forums are common in many European countries, but until recently there has been little support for the idea here.
In the most common model, students elect representatives from each year to the council. A teacher usually sits on the council and liaises between the students and the school authorities.
A number of schools formed councils in the last two years, but many have no student representation yet, apart from the traditional prefect system.
However, students in some schools have used the councils to get changes on uniform policy, extra-curricular activities and bullying.
Dr Woods said the councils were an opportunity for all students to contribute to the development of their school and it was his wish "that as many schools as possible undertake this opportunity".
The minister was speaking at the publication of a new handbook from the National Youth Council on how to set up a council.
Schools are under no legal obligation to set up such councils, but under the Education Act, 1998, they are strongly advised to do so.
They are purely consultative and school authorities are not obliged to accept advice or representations from pupils.
However, the strong support from the Minister for the idea is likely to prompt many schools to set one up.
Moves to give students more say in second-level education received a major boost during the teachers' strike when a union of secondary students was set up.
Dr Woods said: "The principle of participation is crucial if our young people are to become critically aware and active citizens. I believe that active participation in student councils will give students a heightened sense of ownership and pride in their school which, in turn, will serve to benefit not only their education and the school specifically but the wider community generally".
Ms Josephine Henry, vice-president of the National Youth Council, said: "I would encourage all young people to get to participate in their student councils and I would urge the schools and Government to give students every encouragement to do so, whether this takes the form of helping to set up the council, providing material help or, most importantly, respecting students input and opinions."