Building More Resilient Systems to Safeguard Children NW Syria’s Schools

Opposition controlled Northwest (NW) Syria is one of the most challenging contexts in which humanitarian actors work. As well as the psychological effects that children in Syria suffer because of the loss of family members due to the conflict and shelling, fighting, forced displacement, and corporal punishment against children is widespread.

Despite weak governance, poor infrastructure, and low levels of accountability, the UKaid-funded Manahel - Syria Education Programme (SEP) is strengthening the education system to keep children safe from physical and psychological abuse, not just in programme supported schools but in NW Syria as a whole.

In 2019, Manahel received 284 reports of violations of the Safeguarding Policy from the schools it directly supports. In 2022 Manahel received only 34 cases, an 88% decrease since 2019. Manahel’s has supported the Safeguarding Policy in NW Syria which implements best practice approaches to ensure the safety of children and develop the capacity of the education system in more widely to prevent and manage violence against children.

Manahel’s support for stronger safeguarding systems involves supporting Education Directorates to develop a code of conduct, reporting mechanisms, establishing school protection committees and supporting teacher to systematically identify, manage and escalate safeguarding issues based on clear procedures.

Manahel’s successes in changing long-established practices in NW Syria have been achieved through a comprehensive approach to creating system change that addresses policy, resources, capacity, accountability, transparency, and behaviours.