“What if we give them too much voice?”: Teachers’ perceptions of the child’s right to participation

Abstract

Article 12 (1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the right of children who are capable of forming their own views to freely express them in matters that affect them. Such views should be considered in schools when making decisions, paying attention to the child’s age and maturity. In this study we explored teachers’ understanding and perceptions of the implementation of the child’s right to participation in matters that concern them in the school context. Using a qualitative research approach, data were obtained from 12 purposively selected high school teachers from selected schools in the Johannesburg South district through semi-structured individual interviews. The findings indicate that while understanding of this right was limited among teachers, there was a high preference to accord children this right. Opportunities to participate were mainly viewed as very limited and only in minor issues at school. Several challenges to promote this right were highlighted by teachers and are discussed in this article. Recommendations such as educating teachers about children’s rights to participation and creating opportunities for them to participate in decision-making in matters that concern them are made.