National Safe Schools Framework launched

WINDHOEK, SEPT. 13 – Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa on Wednesday launched the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF) to help address challenges of violence that schools often face.
Launched in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the framework will be used as a policy document at national and regional level, while in schools it will be used as a practical tool to guide teachers and other school personnel on how to promote safe and supportive school communities.
Hanse-Himarwa at the launch in Windhoek explained that the NSSF supports the Education Act, which is currently under review.
“It is a progressive rights-based Act to ensure that no child is denied the right to education due to violent and unsafe school circumstances,” she noted.
The minister explained that the framework falls under the umbrella of the integrated school health programme with a focus beyond the physical health of the learner and includes the holistic wellbeing of the individual learner and educator.
“Meaning a school environment for learners to flourish. The NSSF was designed to support and enhance the implementation of the integrated school health programme,” she said.
Hanse-Himarwa went on to say the NSSF identifies seven standards for developing and maintaining a safe school, with the first step being for schools to establish a foundation so as to have a starting point from which to build.
By identifying the problem areas and difficulties, schools can plan for interventions and monitor progress, she stressed.
She further stated that the framework identifies positive and collaborative practices and attitudes as well as effective school leadership as the next two key standards.
Finally, the NSSF points to the importance of effective prevention of and response to violence, self-harm and substance abuse in schools.
The education minister gave her assurance that the NSSF will be dispatched to all the schools along with supplementary materials for immediate implementation.
These will include advocacy material against all forms of violence accompanied by a circular with timelines for monitoring and evaluation on the implementation of the framework.
Schools will be required to submit progress reports on their activities to the regional office, which will in turn report to the national education authorities. – NAMPA