ABSTRACT
This research study investigated the protection of students right using the University of Benin as a case study. Using the survey research design, questionnaires were distributed to 100 respondents cutting across 10 faculties in the University of Benin. Responses from 88 students were analysed with simple percentage, arithmetic mean and standard deviation using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0. Results showed that on the part of students there is almost no awareness on their fundamental human rights as Nigerian citizens as well as other rights they are entitled to as students. In this environment of ignorance, the fundamental human rights of undergraduates, students’ right to effective student representation in decision making and students’ right to a learning environment that encourages learning are not protected by the university administration. Of all the categories of students’ right investigated, results from empirical analysis showed the students’ right to effective student representation in decision making is the most violated by the University administration. As such the study recommends that the judicial and legislative organs should develop a specific “Students’ Bill of Rights” for Nigerian students, having the full backing of the law. Also, it should be made mandatory for all higher education institutions to have separate policy documents wherein the obligations of the students, their rights as well as the obligations of the school to the students are clearly spelt out.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 5
Background of the Study 5
Statement of the Problem 7
Research Questions 8
Purpose of the Study 8
Significance of the Study 8
Scope and Delimitations of the Study 9
Limitations of the Study 9
Operational Definition of Terms 10
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 11
An Overview on Students’ Rights: The Nigerian Experience 11
The Case of University of Benin 15
An Overview of Education Law: The Nigerian Experience 16
Implications of Education Law for Educational Management 19
Review of Empirical Literature 20 Summary of Literature 23
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 24
Introduction 24
Research Design 24
Population of Study 25
Sample of Study and Sampling Technique 25
Data for the Study 25
Instrumentation 25
Method of Data Analysis 26
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 27 Introduction 27
Demographic Data Analysis 27
Analysing Research Questions 29
Research Question One 29
Research Question Two 31
Research Question Three 32
Research Question Four 34
Discussion of Findings 35
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 38
Introduction 38
Summary of Findings 38
Policy Recommendations 39
Conclusion 40
Bibliography 41
Appendix 1: Questionnaire 43
Appendix 2: SPSS Results 45