Rights of children in schools

A human rights perspective on behaviour     Tuesday 15 July 2014

with Megan Mitchell, National Children's Commissioner

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) articulates the rights of every child, setting out what is needed to not only help children survive, but also what is needed to ensure all children develop to their full potential.

These rights do not disappear when children walk into school gates, indeed schools can be the powerhouses for developing respect for, and enjoyment of, human rights. Schools have a responsibility to create an environment which respects the inherent dignity of each child, including when dealing with behaviour issues, but which also protects the rights of all children to an education.  

This lecture will explore the right to school education and the means by which behaviour management policies contribute to protecting or denying this and other child rights, including their impact on a child’s opportunity to thrive.

This free public lecture will complement a public conference: Behaviour in Australian Schools: Current trends and possibilities. The summit’s focus on children’s rights as students in schools occurs as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2014.

For further information about the National Summit on Behaviour in Australian Schools please contact Dr Anna Sullivan 08 802 4252.

Co-presented with the School of Education at the University of South Australia

Megan Mitchell

Megan Mitchell is Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner (2013) - focussing solely on the rights and interests of children, and the laws, policies and programs that impact on them.

Megan has had extensive experience in issues facing children and young people, having worked with children from all types of backgrounds, including undertaking significant work with vulnerable children.

Her previous roles include NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People, and Executive Director of the ACT Office for Children, Youth and Family Support.