Our strategy

The Safe to Learn Strategy (2021–2024) set out a shared, operational approach for embedding violence prevention and response within education systems worldwide. The Strategy provides a clear framework for coordinated action and has been extended through 2025 as the coalition prepares for its next phase.

At its core, the Strategy recognizes that learning cannot be separated from safety. Education systems cannot achieve their goals if children face bullying, corporal punishment, harassment, exploitation or online harm. The Strategy therefore outlines a practical approach for governments, donors, and partners to strengthen child protection in education systems, and to promote safe and inclusive learning environments at scale.

The Strategy emphasizes leveraging the collective knowledge, evidence, and experience of the Safe to Learn partners. This coalition of partners brings together governments, multi- and bi-lateral agencies, civil society organizations, youth networks, researchers, and donors – all contributing insights from education, child protection, gender equality, health, justice, and social norms. By aligning expertise across these sectors, the Strategy transforms fragmented efforts into coherent, sustainable system reform.
 

A two-pillar approach

The Strategy is built around two mutually reinforcing pillars:

1. Country engagement 

Supporting governments to strengthen policies, systems, and practices to prevent and respond to violence in and through schools. This includes:

• Embedding violence prevention and response in laws, policy, and education sector planning.
• Embedding violence-prevention in curricula, enforcing safeguarding policies, and training and supporting educators in child protection.
• Supporting whole-school approaches to shift harmful social and gender norms and change behaviour.
• Allocating resources effectively and using evidence to design, monitor, and scale interventions that end violence in and around schools.Building coordination between education, child protection, health, and justice actors.
   

2. Global advocacy 

Elevating safe learning on global and regional agendas and aligning partners behind a shared narrative, evidence base, and set of standards. This pillar helps build the political and financial commitment needed to drive change at country level and ensure safe schools remain a visible global priority.

Together, these pillars reinforce a stronger global ecosystem for safe learning – mobilizing political will, generating evidence, improving coherence across sectors, and supporting countries to translate commitments into lasting system change.
 

Looking ahead

As Safe to Learn revises its Strategy beyond 2025, the next phase will build on the coalition’s experience and expertise, lessons learned from country engagement, and new opportunities to accelerate safe learning globally. The mission remains constant: supporting governments to embed child protection into education systems so every child, everywhere, can learn free from violence.