In an inordinate number of regions, attending school is not merely an avenue for education; it poses an imminent threat to the well-being of children. Millions of children are subjected to daily hazards for the mere act of pursuing an education, ranging from armed conflict and natural disasters to gender-based violence and political unrest.
That is why **Theirworld**, a global children’s charity dedicated to resolving the global education crisis, initiated the **Safe Schools Initiative**—a campaign to guarantee that every child has access to **uninterrupted, secure, and safe learning**.
This potent endeavor is founded on a straightforward yet pressing conviction: **no child should be apprehensive about their safety in a classroom**.
The Issue: Schools Are Being Attacked
**Schools are** being targeted in conflicts and crises on a global scale, whether intentionally or as collateral damage. Between 2020 and 2021, the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack reported over **5,000 attacks on education**.
The repercussions are catastrophic:
**Psychological trauma** that impedes learning and development **Children forcefully removed from school**, frequently permanently **Teachers intimidated or killed**, undermining education systems **Loss of infrastructure** that is essential for community stability
These assaults are not accidental in conflict zones, particularly in regions such as Nigeria, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine; they are strategic, employed to instill terror and ruin futures.
Theirworld’s Response to the Safe Schools Initiative
The **Safe Schools Initiative** by Theirworld was established in 2014 in response to the horrendous abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigeria. Its objective is to **protect students and educators from violence and displacement**.
The initiative, which was initially concentrated on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, where Boko Haram attacks had devastated the education sector, has evolved into a **global movement** that advocates for enhanced safeguards and investments in secure education.
**The Safe Schools Initiative’s fundamental components are as follows:**
**Physical safety**: The fortification of school buildings, the provision of safe transportation, and emergency preparedness. **Psychosocial support**: The provision of counseling to students affected by trauma and the training of educators. **Advocacy and awareness**: The promotion of policies that end the military use of schools and attacks on education. **Partnerships with governments, NGOs, and the UN** to fund and scale protection programs.
The Global Reach and Impact
Since its inception, the Safe Schools Initiative has:
* **Provided over 60,000 children in Nigeria with safety infrastructure, community protection, and learning continuity * **Secured financing and political support** in numerous conflict-affected countries Contributed to the adoption and implementation of the **Safe Schools Declaration**, an international commitment to safeguard education during armed conflict that has been signed by 118 countries as of 2025. * Through effective advocacy campaigns, elevated the voices of youth and survivors of attacks on education.
Advocacy in Action
Theirworld does not merely operate in the background; it is a leader in the field, utilizing audacious messaging, high-profile partnerships, and global campaigns.
Recent endeavors consist of:
* A collaborative campaign with the **Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack** * Reports and policy recommendations regarding school protection in crisis zones
**Collaborations with the United Nations to mobilize international action in support of the **International Day to Protect Education from Attack (September 9)**
Theirworld guarantees that **safe schools remain on the global agenda** by integrating data, storytelling, and direct action.
A Future in Which Every School Is Secure
The preservation of schools is not solely concerned with the physical structures; it also involves the preservation of calm, potential, and aspirations. The Safe Schools Initiative serves as a reminder to the global community that the safety of a child should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of education.
Theirworld persists in its efforts to encourage governments and donors to establish **robust financing, wise policy, and emergency response mechanisms** that guarantee that schools are sanctuary, not battlefields.
**Every infant has the right to learn without fear.**
Learn more about Theirworld’s Safe Schools Initiative or provide your support: 🔗 [www.theirworld.org] (https://theirworld.org)