SCHOOL DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES VIOLATING STUDENTS’ FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: A CONSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines school disciplinary practices in Nigeria that violate students’ fundamental rights, focusing on corporal punishment, forced labor, wrongful suspensions, and suppression of free expression. Anchored on Legal Positivism and Child Rights theories, it analyzes provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, the Child Rights Act (2003), and international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Using qualitative analysis and case studies, the study finds that over 65% of students’ experience corporal punishment, despite legal prohibitions. Weak enforcement, cultural norms, and limited awareness perpetuate these violations. Recommendations include restorative justice, teacher training, and stricter policy enforcement to align school discipline with human rights standards.