For Teachers
Human Rights Education: The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
Implications and advice for schools
Implications of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities for the school community are provided for:
The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (the Charter) is a simple but important law that sets out our freedoms, rights and responsibilities. The Charter’s purpose is to protect and promote human rights by recognising that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The Charter helps to protect people from injustice and allows everyone to participate in and contribute to society. It enshrines basic civil and political rights in law, and requires public authorities, including government schools, and their employees to act compatibly with human rights and to consider human rights when making decisions and delivering services. For more detail on the Charter’s operation and functions, see Human Resources - Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/other/human_rights.htm).
The Charter is based on the following principles:
- Human rights are essential in a democratic and inclusive society that respects the rule of law, human dignity, equality and freedom
- Human rights belong to all people without discrimination, and the diversity of the people of Victoria enhances our community
- Human rights come with responsibilities and must be exercised in a way that respects the human rights of others
- Human rights have a special importance for the Aboriginal people of Victoria, as descendants of Australia’s first people, with their diverse spiritual, social, cultural and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters.
Schools are uniquely placed to assist develop this culture of human rights. As public authorities under the Charter schools have particular compliance obligations, as well as a significant and crucial role in educating and shaping the values of Victoria’s young people and future leaders.
Schools are a place for learning. Incorporating a human rights framework will enable schools to further embed a culture of human rights, through which students, school based staff, and the wider school community can be engaged to contribute to positive cultural change in Victoria.
Equal opportunity remains a key consideration for schools to ensure that the school environment is inclusive and safe. However, equal opportunity is only one of 20 human rights protected by the Charter.
Schools should aim to protect and promote these rights. Some examples of Charter rights that may be applicable in schools include:
Equality before the law
- built environment & accessibility
- equal opportunity policies
- fair decision making processes
Protection of families & children
- decisions that may affect family life
- child protection issues
Freedom of expression
- valuing expression of opinions
Cultural rights
- valuing diversity
- language programs
Privacy & reputation
- student privacy
- records management
At the school level, principles and policies consistent with the Charter will be reflected in schools’ governing documents and frameworks, including the Accountability and Improvement Framework, the school profile, the Student Code of Conduct and the Codes of Practice for principals, staff, school council and the school community.
Schools are asked to complete the Charter Compliance Checklist to assist them in complying with the Charter, located on the Schools Compliance Checklist (https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/scc/Home.aspx?button=lnkHome).
Schools are also asked to encourage participation by all parents/carers in school community activities and decision making, taking into account human rights and the principles of the charter.
For additional information, see:
School councils
School councils are committed to:
- valuing and accepting the right of all people to live in a free, just and peaceful society
- ensuring that staff and students are aware of the charter
- ensuring that school policies and practices are consistent with the intent of the charter and take human rights into consideration
- promoting respect and understanding among members of school community regardless of their cultural, religious, racial and linguistic backgrounds
- promoting and embedding a human rights culture within the school community.
Principals and teachers
Principals and teachers are committed to:
- valuing and accepting the right of all people to live in a free, just and peaceful society
- embedding Human Rights Education and Values Education across all aspects of school life including the formal curriculum, learning programs and extra curricula activities
- modelling appropriate behaviour by treating everyone with respect and valuing the contributions of all school community members
- promoting and embedding a human rights culture within the school community
- evaluating the school’s progress as they work to establish an inclusive, positive and tolerant school environment.
Students
Students are expected to:
- value and accept the right of all people to live in a free, just and peaceful society
- treat everyone with respect.
Publications and web links
The following resources assist schools to meet their obligations under the charter and address human rights and responsibilities in schools:
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Human Rights Charter contains a brief overview of the Charter, and links to other websites and online resources. (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/other/human_rights.htm).
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Human Rights Charter email address: Email enquiries about Charter compliance and obligations can be directed to humanrightscharter@edumail.vic.gov.au.
- Wellbeing policy - Framework for Student Support Services – describes the principles, arrangements and the additional resources provided to strengthen student welfare and support services.
- Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Student Safety webpage includes advice regarding bullying, drug education, safe@work, sexuality education, traffic safety education, student critical incident advisory unit and child protection.
- Your Right to Rights in Communities Languages (VEOHRC): provides a summary of rights under the Charter, translated into 20 languages. (http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/publications/HR%20Charter)
- Student Support Services in Victorian Government Schools describes the principles, arrangements and the additional resources provided to strengthen student welfare and support services.
- Safe and Inclusive Schools provides information and teaching resources about rights and responsibilities relevant to teachers, students and parents.
(http://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/safe%20schools/Introduction)
Human Rights Education Resources – list is included in the ‘for teachers’ section.
The Victorian Human Rights Charter explained….
The Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 came into effect on 1 January 2007, and the public sector will be bound by the charter from 1 January 2008.
The charter requires all public authorities and their employees, including schools, to act compatibly with human rights and to consider human rights when making decisions and delivering services.
The concept of human rights acknowledges that every human being is entitled to enjoy his or her human rights without distinction as to race, colour, sex, language religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. The charter protects the civil and political human rights of all people in Victoria by requiring laws to be developed and interpreted consistently with human rights and by requiring Victorian Government and public authorities to act consistently with human rights.
A copy of the Act, accompanying brochures and further information is available from the Department’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities website (http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/other/human_rights.htm)