HRiE Schools

Schools involved in Human Rights in Education share a commitment to the development of human rights-based education in New Zealand.

They are based on the fundamental idea that every young person has an internationally-recognised right to an education aimed at development of their personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential, and preparation for responsible life in a free society; an education that:

• helps realise their human rights (such as the rights to health, work, an adequate standard of living, and a sustainable environment)
• respects their human rights (such as rights to dignity, identity, safety, expression & participation, justice)
• promotes the human rights of others.

They recognise that young people are citizens now, and ensure they have a clear understanding  of their rights and responsibilities.

They play an active and supporting role in the development of the Human Rights in Education initiative by sharing their knowledge and experience.

Basing the school on human rights and responsibilities involves:

• Framing the mission of the school in human rights terms, and reflecting this in the School Charter and strategic plan
• School leadership, staff, students, boards of trustees, and parents learning about the human rights framework, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the right to education, and the Rights, Respect, Responsibilities approach – best done through start-up workshops
• All members of the school community understanding that everyone has human rights, and that human rights entail responsibilities.
• Building a rights-respecting culture in the classroom, and throughout the school, for example by developing and continually promoting negotiated Rights & Responsibilities Agreements, mapped against human rights
• Building a rights & responsibilities perspective into all learning areas (subjects) and co/extra-curricular activities
• Referring to relevant rights and responsibilities in all school decision making
• Ensuring ‘respect for self, others and human rights’ is evident in its ‘philosophy, structures, curriculum, classrooms, and relationships’ – as required in the New Zealand Curriculum
• Students and adults working in strong partnership, with students participating in decisionmaking, and human rights teaching.

The elements of the Initiative at school level and the cause-and-effect relationships are outlined in a strategy map.

Schools in the Human Rights in Education Initiative

To register your school as interested in HRiE click here.