Education, student rights, and the Charter

Summary: 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.