Education

“Article 28: You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level you can”

The right for every child in the world to have education has been affirmed in numerous Human Rights Treaties that include: Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959), the Convention against Discrimination in Education (1962), and articles 28 and 29 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989); and is recognized by governments as fundamental for development and social transformation.

Save the Children Sweden uses a rights based approach in its Education work. The rights-based model emphasizes the school as a place that provides learning opportunities relevant to life, and livelihood in a healthy, safe, and caring environment that is inclusive, protective, gender sensitive, and involves the participation of children, families and communities.

Access

Save the Children Sweden works to ensure all children, without discrimination, have the opportunity to learn. We support civil society networks, and partner organizations in their advocacy work to ensure that governments fulfil their obligations in the realm of education, including making primary education free of cost.

We mainly work in primary education and the transition to secondary education. Advocating for duty-bearers to offer accelerated learning programmes and encouraging non-formal education where no formal education is available, with the aim of transition to formal education and ensuring accreditation, is also part of our work.

Quality

Our overall focus is on promoting quality education with universal values that include non-discrimination, equal participation, respect for diversity, tolerance, non-violence, and respect for the environment.

We encourage child participation since it contributes to the improvement in the quality of education. Children are encouraged to be part of planning, implementation, follow up, and evaluation of what takes place in their classrooms.

Save the Children Sweden promotes participatory learning strategies that help children develop critical thinking, and decision making skills on matters affecting their lives. Teachers are key actors to be trained on child-friendly teaching and learning to become aware of the benefits of such education. The professional development of teachers is crucial in ensuring quality education.

Protection

Protection in and around schools and other educational settings is an important element of our work. The UN Study on violence shows that children are subjected to various forms of violence on a daily basis in schools and on the way to and from schools. Training through capacity building on child-friendly teaching methods, and alternatives to physical and humiliating punishment, as well as gender based violence is crucial. We support and promote developing Codes of Conduct in all schools that are implemented, and developing reporting and referral systems and mechanisms for children and parents.

We strive to develop child-friendly schools free from all forms of abuse including physical and humiliating punishment, and provides a safe and protective environment that fosters children’s emotional, psychological, and physical well-being.

Emergencies

Education is crucial during times of emergencies to bring a sense of normalcy, hope for the future, and protection for children. Education is particularly important in the transitional post-conflict phase in order to achieve a durable peace. Emergency Education focuses on child protection aspects as well as access to quality education, and regular education work.