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Education has a transformative role in children’s lives and in society as a whole. Children’s learning experience should always be positive and safe.

Every child has the right to learn in safety. Yet an estimated 246 million girls and boys experience violence in and around schools—on the way to school, on school grounds, and in classrooms. Violence comes in many forms—physical, emotional, sexual, online—and it damages children’s well-being, undermines learning, and deepens inequalities.

Marginalized children, including those facing gender, racial, disability, or identity-based discrimination, are most at risk. Violence can push them out of school entirely, fueling child marriage, labour, and intergenerational poverty.

COVID-19 worsened an already dire crisis, pushing children out of school and increasing their exposure to violence at home, online, and in communities. The cost is enormous—$11 trillion in lost lifetime earnings, according to the World Bank.

Change is possible – and we must act NOW  

Learning and safety must go hand in hand. As the world responds to overlapping crises—from conflict and climate to poverty and post-pandemic recovery—ending violence in and around schools is essential to ending the global learning crisis.

Safe to Learn is a global initiative working to end violence in and through schools. Backed by 16 partners from civil society, the United Nations, donors, global partnerships, and the private sector, we believe safe learning unlocks multiple wins—for education, health, gender equality, and long-term development.

Since transitioning to UNICEF in 2023, Safe to Learn continues as a strong coalition, coordinated by a dedicated Secretariat. Together, with global reach and on-the-ground expertise, we’re creating safe learning environments—so all children can learn, thrive, and shape a better future.