Stopping violence in school can help to achieve universal primary education

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) can still be achieved if practical measures are taken quickly, said Plan in a new report. Adopted by world leaders in 2000 and set to be achieved by 2015, the MDGs provide a framework for the entire international community to work together towards a common end – making sure that human development reaches everyone, everywhere.

The United Nations has admitted that without a concerted effort, attempts to meet the Goals to reduce global poverty by 2015 will fail in most areas. But Plan says action in key areas will help towards attaining the MDGs. Plan has placed particular emphasis globally on stopping violence in school

The impact of violence against children in schools is holding back much of the progress made toward achieving universal primary education – MDG 2 acknowledges the critical role education plays in eliminating poverty and giving children the chance to improve their lives. It will not be achieved unless international organisations, governments, local communities, teachers, parents and children work together to uphold children’s right to a violence-free education. Fear of violence stops children to learn properly and often leads to children dropping out of school. Billions have been spent on education but they are pointless if children are simply too scared to go to school. Violence is widespread in schools in many countries and one of the major factors preventing children from receiving an education.

Learn Without Fear was set up to fight the most common forms of violence in schools – corporal punishment, bullying, sexual violence. Since the launch, over 398 million children around the world are better protected by new anti-violence legislation brought by Plan’s lobbying, 22 countries report a reduction in girls’ dropout rates in targeted areas and 20,000 teachers have been trained in positive discipline.

Plan calls on all governments to outlaw all forms of violence against children in schools and include within education budgets proven interventions such as reducing class sizes, increased teacher training and peer education.

“The next five years offer a small window of opportunity in which world leaders must take swift, decisive action. There will be no ‘second chance’ for millions of vulnerable children” said Plan International CEO Nigel Chapman.