Implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Kaduna State Schools: A Policy Application Study

This research examines the practical application of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) within the school governance frameworks of Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria, focusing on the extent to which CRC principles are operationalized in school administration, discipline policies, and child protection mechanisms. Kaduna State presents a complex educational landscape, with both secular and Islamic schools operating under varying degrees of state oversight, and a history of intercommunal violence affecting school environments. The study employs a professional policy application methodology, analyzing Kaduna State's basic education laws and policies alongside structured interviews with school principals, headteachers, state education officers, UNICEF representatives, and parent-teacher association leaders across Kaduna, Zaria, and Kafanchan. CRC compliance dimensions assessed include participation rights, child-friendly disciplinary practices, protection from abuse, and inclusive education. Findings reveal that corporal punishment remains widely practiced despite its incompatibility with CRC standards, children's participation in school governance decisions is virtually non-existent, and child protection referral pathways are poorly known and inconsistently applied. The study develops a CRC-compliant school governance checklist adaptable for use by Kaduna State school inspectors and management. Recommendations include CRC training for school administrators, mandatory child protection policies in all schools, and engagement of the Kaduna State Child Rights Agency as a school compliance partner. Keywords: CRC implementation, school governance, Kaduna State, child protection, children's rights.