Opinions of Secondary School Students on the Effects of Disciplinary Regulations and Practices on the Freedom of Thought and Expression

Abstract

Disciplinary rules are necessary for students to benefitfrom education and training activities without any problems orshortcomings in the school environment. Governed by regulation inTurkey, these rules prescribe such penalties as reprimand, short-termsuspension, changing of schools, or exclusion from formal educationinstitutions. Conversely, various national and international legalarrangements define children‟s fundamental rights and freedoms.Students below the age of 18 are also entitled to fundamental rights andfreedoms by reason of such legal arrangements. One of thesearrangements recognises the freedom of thought and expression. Thechildren's/students' freedom of thought and expression within the schoolenvironment, as well as the limitations thereof, are of a disputed nature.In light of such disputes, the problem addressed by the present studyconcerns the evaluation of the effects of disciplinary regulations andpractices on students‟ freedom of thought and expression in line withstudents‟ own opinions