Despite an uncertain and challenging global context, 2025 brought meaningful progress for Safe to Learn. Countries, partners, and communities continued to invest in making schools safe, tolerant spaces where children can learn, grow and belong. Political leadership strengthened, coalitions deepened and evidence grew, helping to anchor violence prevention and response as core to a quality education.
As I look back on my first year with the Safe to Learn Initiative, five signs of progress stand out.
1. Political leadership became more visible – and more coordinated
A significant moment in 2025 was the launch of the Ministerial Taskforce to End Violence in and Around Schools at the Education World Forum. Cochaired by the UK Government and Sierra Leone, the Taskforce signaled that preventing violence is a core responsibility of education systems.
Just as critically, more than 60 countries reported annual progress toward pledges made at the 2024 Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children – demonstrating a growing global consensus: safe schools are foundational to learning, well-being, and equity.
2. Countries moved from commitments to action
Momentum was not just political – it was action orientated. This year, Seychelles endorsed the Safe to Learn Call to Action, becoming the 19th endorsing country to do so. As a high-income country, this endorsement underscores the universality of the agenda.
We heard directly from governments on the actions they have taken towards safe and enabling schools. Across regions, WHO, UNICEF, and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children convened dialogues where governments shared experiences and learning on how to turn commitments into concrete action. Safe to Learn worked alongside partners to support these efforts, share emerging evidence, and enable countries to focus action where change is most needed.
3. Partnerships deepened – and brought new strengths
One of the most encouraging developments of 2025 was the deepening of the Safe to Learn Coalition. We welcomed several new partners including Education International and the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls programme.
Ongoing support from Global Affairs Canada, Norway, GPE, and the Wellspring Foundation enabled Safe to Learn to strengthen global public goods while deepening country engagement.
These partnerships reinforced what makes Safe to Learn unique: the ability to bring evidence, policy, and practice together in one global effort.
4. Countries gained clearer insight into their progress
In 2025, we saw meaningful advances in how governments understand their progress and priorities.
- National benchmarking assessments in Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Jordan, and Jamaica identified progress against the Call to Action.
- A review of the Safe to Learn Diagnostic tool was conducted to better support governments to assess progress against the Call to Action, with a revised edition soon to be published.
These efforts may sound technical – but they are foundational. When ministries have a clear, data-driven picture of what is working and what needs urgent attention, the path to safer schools becomes possible to plan and sustain.
5. The Coalition strengthened learning and collective action
Throughout 2025, Safe to Learn and partners convened global and regional exchanges on issues ranging from whole-school approaches to digital safety. These discussions brought together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to share insights on what works.
We also laid the groundwork for Safe to Learn’s Global Knowledge Hub, launching in early 2026 – a space that will make tools, guidance, translations, and shared learning more accessible to countries and partners.
Together, these five signs show that Safe to Learn is moving from commitment to coordinated action. Political will is strengthening, countries are implementing real change, partnerships are deepening, and better data is sharpening our focus. With shared learning and aligned support, we are building a stronger, more impactful coalition – one that is steadily making schools safe to learn for every child.
Looking ahead: from progress to impact in 2026
This year Safe to Learn remains focused on turning collective ambition into meaningful action. We will continue advocating for stronger political commitments to implement the Call to Action and support countries to embed violence prevention and response across education systems.
Partnership sits at the heart of this effort. Safe to Learn will deepen collaboration with teachers, young people, and survivor-led organizations; strengthen measurement; and expand peer-to-peer learning across countries and regions so that countries can accelerate progress.
I am hopeful that 2026 will bring significant impact, and that together, we can ensure every child learns in a place where they feel safe, supported, and able to thrive.
