Human rights teaching leads to better relationships, educational achievement & responsible citizens (Nov 2010)

Human rights teaching leads to better relationships, educational achievement & responsible citizens (Nov 2010)

Teaching children about their rights can reduce exclusions and bullying, improve teacher-pupil relationships, raise attainment and make for more mature, responsible students according to new research undertaken by researchers at the Universities of Sussex and Brighton in the UK.

The evidence is highlighted in a three year qualitative study of UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting Schools Award (RRSA) – one of Human Rights in Education’s international partners.

"After 16 years as head teacher at […] school, I cannot think of anything else we have introduced that has had such an impact.” (Head teacher, infant school)
"Relationships are fabulous, absolutely amazing.” (Governor/parent, secondary school)
“[Without Rights Respecting Schools] I don’t think you’d get a good education. It affects your learning.” (Year 7 pupil, secondary school)

The study found that participation in the RRSA contributed to:

• greater understanding of human rights and responsibilities
• improved relationships and behavior amongst students and staff
• greater contribution on local and global issues as a result of increased awareness of human rights and the extent to which these are denied.
• more positive attitudes towards inclusivity and diversity in society
• more active student participation in decision-making in the school community
• improved learning and standards
• school leaders used the human rights framework to provide cohesion to existing initiatives
• school leaders modelled rights and responsibilities in the way they treated other staff, pupils and parents.

Read the report or summary and media coverage.