Protection of Child Rights: Comparative Study in Public and Private Schools

Abstract

Title: Protection of Child Rights: A Comparative Study in Public and Private Schools. Pages: 251 Researcher: Muhammad Basharat Supervisor: Dr. Munnaza Ambreen University: Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad. Subject Area: Secondary Teacher Education Year: 2019 Degree: Ph.D. (Education) The study was based on analysis of protection of child rights at schools level. A comparison was being made between private and public schools regarding protection of child rights. Another comparison was being made between urban and rural schools for the protection of child rights. Parent’s perception regarding child rights in schools was also analyzed through this study. The population included Islamabad Model Schools and different private schools (The Educators, Allied Schools, Dar-e Arqam and other local community private). In order to make a representative sample of public and private schools having ratio 1: 4.7, a sample of the study comprised of 60 public schools (15 urban, 4 5rural) and 280 private schools (150 urban,130 rural). Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used for selection of schools, their heads and teachers teaching 7th grade. Stratified random sampling technique was used for selection of students and their parents. The sample consisted of 340 head teachers, 400 teachers teaching 7th grade, 1200 students of 7th grade (three students of each sample teachers), and 28 parents of the sample students. Theix students were classified into subgroups public and private, urban and rural to ensure the proper representation of relevant groups. It was a survey type study; questionnaire, interview and checklist were used as tools of research to collect the data. Three kinds of questionnaires were developed, one for students consisting of 42 close ended and one open ended question, one for teachers consisting of 48 close ended questions, and one for head teachers consisting of 39 close ended and 4 open ended questions. The items were developed on five point rating scale (Always, Often, Sometimes, Rarely, Never). A checklist was developed, it included 13 statements checking the availability, non availability, and partial availability of basic physical facilities required in a school. A semi structured interview inquiring perception of the parents with respect to child rights at school and child rights with respect to school at home. Tools of research were validated by nine doctors from the faculty of education at AIOU, and one doctor from the University of Wah. After validation required amendments were made. Pilot testing was conducted on 147 students, 174 teachers and 141 head teachers of elementary schools (Excluding sample size) of the target population and after it the reliability was checked by applying Cronbach Alpha and Factor Analysis on SPSS Program respectively. In order to get reliable information, schools were visited, data was collected and analyzed. The data is presented in the form of tables. On the basis of findings the conclusions were drawn and the results were discussed. The data was interpreted by using simple statistical techniques of percentage, mean, standard deviation and t-test. The study concluded that public schools are comparatively better than private schools regarding safe food and water, right to play, and awareness of rights. Private schools are comparatively better than public x schools regarding first aid facility, freedom of expression and protection from punishment. The study proposed different recommendations for the protection of child rights according to the different constructs used to examine the protection of child rights. The study recommends that concerned authorities in different setups must make arrangements for the provision of facilities like learning resources and play grounds to all schools. Steps are also needed to improve the existing teacher student ratios. It was also recommended that few rights were compared in this study separate studies may be conducted to view other rights in detail as well. Study may also be conducted to examine protection of child rights at home, to compare the role of teachers in different schools for protection of child rights at schools. Further studies dealing with the issues of sexual harassment at school may be conducted.