Knowledge hub

These reports review national progress against the benchmarks of the Safe to Learn Call to Action.National benchmarking assessments are developed based on desk reviews of national policies, plans and partner programme documents. Progress against each benchmark is then rated by the government, in coordination with the UNICEF country office. The assessment can be used by stakeholders to identify priorities for future action and to strengthen national efforts to create safe and enabling learning environments for all children.

Bullying is far too often seen as an inevitable part of youth culture. But the consequences of bullying can be serious and may have long term impacts – affecting not only children who are bullied and children who bully, but also their families and friends. Public health and safety professionals can and should play a major role in preventing…, Publication date:, December 2016, Language(s):, English

The desk review commissioned by the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia found that many children in South Asia are exposed to different forms of violence and threats in schools and other educational settings. Findings show that children face physical punishment, sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, and social stigma.  , Publication date:, April 2016, Language(s):, English

This review of programme interventions illustrates actions to address violence against children in and around schools in 28 countries around the world. The report complements the Safe to Learn Global Programmatic Framework and Benchmarking Tool: from Call to Action to Programme Responses, providing concrete examples on the range of interventions…, Publication date:, 2021, Language(s):, English

These guidelines are informed by evidence of what works in practice, and lessons learned in the field. They are designed to accelerate UNICEF programmes on strengthening, supporting and developing the social service workforce with national and regional partners. The guidelines complement Programme Guidance on Preventing and Responding to Violence…, Published date:, February 2019, Language(s):, English

This policy brief and technical note draws on available evidence to explore the optimal role and functions of the social service workforce to address violence against children and other child protection concerns in schools. The technical note highlights key elements of how child protection concerns are addressed in schools across a range of…, Publication date:, March 2022, Language(s):, English

Corporal punishment in schools undermines everything that education aims to achieve – and yet it remains lawful for half the global school-age population, and a weekly or even daily experience for vast numbers of children around the world. Its prevalence combined with its harmful impacts mean that the vital benefits of education for children and societies are wasted.The report makes the case that ending corporal punishment in schools is an overdue and urgent priority.

In this National Action Plan for Child Well-Being, Uganda sets out the goals, plans, and actions needs to improve child well-being in Uganda. In Uganda, 62 per cent of persons living in poverty are children, 33 per cent of children under 5 are stunted, and only 37 per cent of children make it to secondary education. Uganda’s overarching goal is to…, Publication date:, July, 2016, Language(s):, English

Violence against children by school staff is widespread in education settings, but few interventions address this. The authors tested whether the Good School Toolkit – a complex behavioural intervention designed by Ugandan not-for-profit organization Raising Voices – could reduce physical violence by school staff towards Ugandan primary school…, Publication date:, July 2015, Language(s):, English

Raising Voices initially developed the Good School Toolkit for primary schools over four years through an iterative and consultative process involving six Ugandan primary schools. The Toolkit is currently in its third edition, with an adaptation completed for use in secondary schools and another underway - Good School Toolkit Agile - for an…, Language(s):, English

Violence in and around schools undermines children’s safety, learning, and well-being. It weakens trust in education systems and pushes the most marginalized learners out of classrooms that should protect and empower them. Yet, violence is not inevitable. The evidence is clear, and proven approaches exist to prevent, reduce, and respond to it.This brief sets out key policy recommendations on ending violence against children through safe and enabling schools, which were shaped by discussions at the 2025 ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Forum.The ISPCAN Rise Up Policy Forum is a global initiative to catalyze progress in child protection through a public health and system strengthening approach.

These reports review national progress against the benchmarks of the Safe to Learn Call to Action.National benchmarking assessments are developed based on desk reviews of national policies, plans and partner programme documents. Progress against each benchmark is then rated by the government, in coordination with the UNICEF country office. The assessment can be used by stakeholders to identify priorities for future action and to strengthen national efforts to create safe and enabling learning environments for all children.