A case study of potential link between students’ understanding of human rights and behaviour in selected Malawian secondary schools in Mzuzu City

Abstract

Despite all measures taken to curb indiscipline cases in Malawian secondary, students’ indiscipline still exists, more especially with their knowledge of human rights. The purpose of the study was to explore the link between students’ understanding of human rights and behavior in secondary schools. The study adopted qualitative case study research design. The study was conducted in 2 schools and 2 teachers and 20 students participated in the study sample. Schools and respondents were purposively selected. Data for this study was collected through oral interviews and all the discussions were audio-recorded. The recordings were then transcribed, coded and themes generated on students’ perspectives of their rights. From the analysis, the study found out the following: students were aware that they were entitled to human rights but ignorant of the responsibilities attached to the rights. Most students misinterpreted issues of human rights and considered any form of correction as a violation of their wrong deeds in the name of exercising their rights. The main sources of information on children’s rights included teachers, peers, media, church, organizations and community. The study has found that the documents that advocate for rights, like the universal declaration of human rights convention, were considered alien to both students and teachers. There was violation of rights in some schools mostly right to education and freedom of expression. Therefore there is need for teachers and organizations concerned with human rights to emphasize on teaching of rights as well as responsibilities.