Protecting Education: Safe Schools and Continued Learning in Crisis

• In Event: Protecting Education: Safe Schools and Continued Learning in Crisis

Abstract

This panel will discuss actions, recommendations and lessons learned from Safe Schools Initiatives in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, in particular:
1. Lessons learned from the Safe Schools Initiatives in Nigeria launched after the abduction of girls in Chibok. As of November 2014, 2400 girls from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states enrolled in this program, where a state of emergency has been enforced after killings, abductions and attacks on schools.
2. Key strategies for restoring education and creating Safe Schools as part of the Ebola response based on the recommendations in “Ebola Emergency: Restoring Education, Creating Safe Schools and Preventing Long-term Crisis” released by the Global Business Coalition for Education calling for immediate and responsible reopening of schools. The report offers concrete recommendations for ensuring education are prioritized in times of conflict.
3. Explore what makes schools safe and what makes being out-of-school unsafe for children, especially girls.
4. Discuss the role of governments, business, youth, teachers to ensure access to safe schools, and quality education for all.

Author

• Chernor Bah, A World At School and Youth Advocacy Group