Children's Rights Awareness as a Predictor of Social Reasoning Among Primary School Pupils

Abstract

Children's rights awareness may contribute to social and interpersonal development, yet empirical evidence on its relationship with social reasoning among primary school pupils remains limited in Nigeria. This study investigated children's rights awareness as a predictor of social reasoning among Primary 5 and 6 pupils in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State. A predictive correlational survey design was adopted. From a population of 4,260 pupils in 52 public primary schools, 400 were selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using the Children's Rights Awareness and Social Reasoning Questionnaire (CRASRQ), with reliability coefficients ranging from 0.79 to 0.88 for the rights awareness dimensions and 0.87 for social reasoning. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression at the 0.05 significance level. Findings showed moderate children's rights awareness and high social reasoning. The four dimensions jointly and significantly predicted social reasoning (R² = .308, F(4, 395) = 43.935, p < .001), with non-discrimination rights emerging as the strongest predictor. The study identifies children's rights awareness, particularly non-discrimination rights, as an important correlate of pupils' social reasoning. Rights-based educational practices should therefore be strengthened in primary schools to promote inclusive and socially responsible learning environments.