KEEPING SCHOOL CHILDREN SAFE PROJECT

The Keeping School Children Safe Project is designed to protect children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation while promoting a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment both in and out of school, particularly in Shinyanga. The project recognizes that children’s safety is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated efforts among schools, families, and communities.

The project is guided by three main objectives: first, to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, and exploitation against children by strengthening reporting and referral systems; second, to empower children with knowledge and life skills to identify risks, protect themselves, and confidently report unsafe situations; and third, to strengthen child protection systems within schools and communities through capacity building and collaboration.

Target beneficiaries include primary and secondary school children, especially adolescents who are more vulnerable to risks, as well as out-of-school children who face higher exposure to exploitation. The project also engages teachers, school management committees, caregivers, community leaders, and local child protection actors to ensure a holistic and sustainable approach.

Implementation focuses on underserved and vulnerable areas, particularly rural and semi-arid regions such as Shinyanga and neighboring regions in Tanzania, where poverty, climate-related shocks, and limited access to protection services increase children’s vulnerability. The project has been ongoing since 2022 to date, and it is funded by Women Fund Trust-Tanzania, covering 14 schools of Didia, Puni, and Nyida wards of Shinyanga district council, Tanzania.

The project has contributed to increased awareness of child rights and protection among both children and adults, improved reporting and response to abuse cases, and safer school environments with reduced incidents of bullying and exploitation. It has also strengthened collaboration between schools, families, and local authorities.

Key lessons learned include the importance of community engagement, active child participation, integration with other sectors such as health and education, and continuous capacity building for teachers and caregivers to ensure sustainable impact.