Education, Student Rights and the Charter

Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the interpretation of its provisions by the courts is forcing educators to increase attention paid to student rights, resulting in a more democratic educational system and a better learning environment. Yet many questions still face both educators and parents, as addressed by Watkinson, including the ability of teachers and principals to search students and their lockers; whether teachers can regulate the contents of student newspapers; whether school boards are responsible for sexual harassment within schools; what constitutes corporal punishment and whether it can be used; and what accommodation schools must make for students facing learning difficulties.