ABSTRACT     

This research study investigated the protection of students right using the University of Benin as a case study. Using the survey research design, questionnaires were distributed to 100 respondents cutting across 10 faculties in the University of Benin. Responses from 88 students were analysed with simple percentage, arithmetic mean and standard deviation using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20.0. Results showed that on the part of students there is almost no awareness on their fundamental human rights as Nigerian citizens as well as other rights they are entitled to as students.  In this environment of ignorance, the fundamental human rights of undergraduates, students' right to effective student representation in decision making and students' right to a learning environment that encourages learning are not protected by the university administration. Of all the categories of students' right investigated, results from empirical analysis showed the students' right to effective student representation in decision making is the most violated by the University administration. As such the study recommends that the judicial and legislative organs should develop a specific "Students' Bill of Rights" for Nigerian students, having the full backing of the law. Also, it should be made mandatory for all higher education institutions to have separate policy documents wherein the obligations of the students, their rights as well as the obligations of the school to the students are clearly spelt out.   

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 5 

Background of the Study 5 

Statement of the Problem 7

Research Questions 8 

Purpose of the Study 8 

Significance of the Study 8 

Scope and Delimitations of the Study 9 

Limitations of the Study 9 

Operational Definition of Terms 10  

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 11 

An Overview on Students' Rights: The Nigerian Experience 11 

The Case of University of Benin 15 

An Overview of Education Law: The Nigerian Experience 16

Implications of Education Law for Educational Management 19 

Review of Empirical Literature 20 Summary of Literature 23   

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 24

Introduction 24 

Research Design 24 

Population of Study 25

Sample of Study and Sampling Technique 25 

Data for the Study 25

Instrumentation 25 

Method of Data Analysis 26  

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF RESULTS AND ANALYSIS 27 Introduction 27

Demographic Data Analysis 27 

Analysing Research Questions 29 

Research Question One 29 

Research Question Two 31 

Research Question Three 32 

Research Question Four 34

Discussion of Findings 35  

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION 38

Introduction 38 

Summary of Findings 38

Policy Recommendations 39 

Conclusion 40 

Bibliography 41 

Appendix 1: Questionnaire 43

Appendix 2: SPSS Results 45 

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