an ncylc e-bulletin

Issue #1: June 2003

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Can a teacher search my locker? Do I have the right to object to religious education? What is racial vilification? How common is bullying? Can I be stopped and questioned if I am absent from school?

All these questions are answered by NCYLC's publication "Know Your Rights At School". As you probably know, "Know Your Rights" are state-specific information packs produced for distribution in schools. Upon their release in 1998 they received a lot of publicity for their controversial step in informing young people of their rights as citizens and students within education institutions. The packs cover issues such as bullying, discrimination, school discipline, searches and confiscations.

"Know Your Rights" was last updated in 1999. Thus, it has come time for a renewed look at the content of the pack in the context of 2003. Other than the obvious updating of contact details, the new edition is seeking to include new issues which are impacting on young people's lives in the school system that were not prominent 5 years ago.

For example, the proliferation of mobile phone ownership with young people has dramatically changed the nature of social relationships and the extent of youth property ownership. Mobile phones have increased the freedom of young people, yet they have also introduced a new means of intimidation. Bullying through text messages is a growing phenomenon in schools. Text messaging presents a surreptitious and often anonymous means for harassment and is consequently a pertinent gap in the current "Know Your Rights" bullying section's definition of what can constitute bullying.

In addition to updating the existing packs for the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, "Know Your Rights" packs are also going to be developed for the Northern Territory and Tasmania.

If you know of any glaring omissions on any area included in the current packs, please contact us. We would really appreciate suggestions, contributions or queries about anything related to this updating process.

Rebecca Hicks