A model to assist teachers in implementing children's rights in schools

Abstract

The global approach that pleads for the equality of all human beings and respect for human rights reaches children as well. Universal human rights should be awarded to all people and for all institutions, and, therefore, schools and children are no exception. Children's rights form an integral part of human rights. This study sets out to explore a management model to assist teachers in implementing children's rights. The study argues that schools are expected to be places of support and respect for children's rights. Instead, extreme violations take place in some schools. This occurs in spite of the children's rights laws that are in place. Most of the human rights transgressions are committed by teachers. The study offers a new approach for teachers to respect and promote children's rights in schools. The new approach is in the form of a model. A literature study and empirical research were undertaken, including national and international factors influencing children's rights. A number of serious gross violations were also explored. Qualitative focus groups and in-depth interviews formed the basis of the empirical research. Finally, a content analysis was conducted to categorise and evaluate data. The findings revealed that teachers still use corporal punishment, even if it is totally outlawed. Other violations discovered included the following: verbal abuse, sexual relationships with girl learners, failure by teachers to attend classes and failure to treat all learners equally. Recommendations in this study emphasise the need to train student teachers regarding human rights education. An induction programme for newly appointed teachers is viewed as ideal. Workshops are also recommended for both the teachers and Teacher Liaison Officers (TLO’s). The study finally identified areas in which further research should be done.