Education is a right for all girls and boys, in itself and indispensable for the realisation of other human rights. It is empowering and transformative, contributing to the building of societies through the reduction in poverty, violence and inequalities through the promotion of the acceptance of diversity and respect. It is also an important tool for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Unfortunate many children are not able to access and complete a quality basic education due to poverty, natural disasters, conflicts, violence, discrimination, and remoteness.
Save the Children and partners promote a rights-based approach in education focusing on the right to, through and in education. The rights-based model emphasises the school as a place which provides learning opportunities relevant and appropriate to a child’s development and context, within a healthy, safe, and caring environment which is inclusive and protective, gender sensitive and involves the participation of children, parents, and communities.
Inclusive education
Save the Children supports local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that know and understand local issues regarding why children are not in school and are not learning, especially children from ethnic minority groups, children with disabilities, and girls. Based on this knowledge, innovative interventions are designed with local stakeholders to ensure the right of girls and boys to an inclusive quality education. This increases awareness and knowledge that can be used in advocacy at the local, national, and regional levels.
Save the Children works with regional partners such as UNESCO, UNICEF, and Asia South Pacific Association of Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) under the Education for All movement to advocate for inclusive education systems that include all children in school and in learning.
Protective education
Save the Children builds the capacity of partners, teacher educators, and teachers on alternative methods to corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is a form of violence against children which is a violation of children’s human rights and contributes to poor attendance, drop-out, fear, and aggression. In response, ‘positive discipline’ is an approach to teaching that helps children succeed, gives them the information they need to learn, and supports their development. It is non-violent and respectful of the child as learner. Positive discipline is based on child rights, pedagogical principles, and child development.
Save the Children and its partners advocate for the adoption of this approach at the classroom, school, and education system level. Through the use of warmth and structure, positive and productive learning environments are developed where teachers and students work together to achieve their learning objectives. Positive discipline is about understanding how students learn, building their skills and fostering the self-discipline they need in order to be successful learners.
Peaceful education and child participation
Working with local partners, Save the Children promotes zones of peace as safe places for children affected by armed conflict. Changes in attitudes within schools and family need to take place so that nurturing places for children’s development and participation. Children isolated by the violence will contribute to the protection and promotion of their rights and play an active role in improving the situation in their lives and communities. It is important that children and young people become part of the solution and not become part of the problem and joining the cycle of violence. The action gives them opportunities to channel their ideas and knowledge constructively.