Implementation of the Fundamental Human Right of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Ebonyi State

Abstract

The study investigated the extent of implementation of fundamental human rights of students in public secondary schools in Ebonyi State. Three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. The population of the study was 6,888 SS2 secondary school students from 224 public secondary schools in Ebonyi state. The sample size was 356 respondents drawn through Stratified proportionate sampling techniques. Instrument for the data collection was a structured questionnaire titled: “Extent of Implementation of Students’ Fundamental Human Rights Questionnaire (EISFHRQ)”. The instrument was validated by three experts, two from Department of Educational Foundations (Admin and Planning Option) and one expert from Department of Science Education (Measurement and Evaluation option) all in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. The reliability of the instrument was determined using test-retest method. It was subjected to Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient which yielded a correlation index of 0.69. Mean (X) and standard deviation (SD) was used to answer research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study indicated that implementation of the fundamental human right of students in terms of rights to life, fair hearing, and peaceful association in public secondary schools in Ebonyi State were to a low extent and there was no significant difference in the mean rating of males and female students on the extent principal implements students’ rights. Thus, the study recommended that: Government should establish an agency that will ensure that students’ lives are protected through enforcement of rule of law in secondary schools. School authorities should see that justice is done, fair hearing and judging wisely when they need arise among students for peaceful relations. Students should be encouraged by their schools and parents to join approved association in the school to avoid joining secret societies like cults in the school environment.