But no, they don’t violate anyone’s rights. Schools are government buildings, not private homes. Your locker is not your property, it belongs to the school; therefore, it is subject to search at any time.

Your backpack, though it is yours, is still subject to search. When you enter a government building (like a courthouse), you go through a metal detector and put your bags through an x-ray machine. It’s not really feasible for schools to install x-ray scanners and technicians, so they do backpack searches instead.

If various kids would stop bringing guns, knives, drugs, bombs, and other lovely contraband to school, schools would cut down on the privacy invasion. Until then, any privacy you have is a gift, not a right. Harsh, but true.

You have a right to an equal chance at an education, and to the safest environment the school can provide. You have a right to eat, to study, and to go to the restroom when needed. You have a right to ask questions when they come up, and to respectfully express your opinions. That is pretty much the limit of your rights at school…sorry.