UNICEF - Rights Respecting Schools Program

The program is a framework for educational improvement which builds upon what schools are already doing to transform the whole school with a consistent, rights-based approach. The Rights Respecting School program reinforces provincial and territorial efforts to create a learning environment in which both children and adults feel respected and act responsibly.

According to UNICEF Canada, schools which have adopted Rights Respecting School throughout the country have seen improved learning in the classroom, a decline in bullying and absenteeism, increased compassion, improved classroom and school atmosphere and increased global awareness.

Rights Respecting School is fully funded and supported by UNICEF. The program began to be implemented at Westmount Park in September 2011 and has been fully in place since September 2012. Westmount Park Elementary School is the first school in Quebec to adopt the Rights Respecting Schools Program.