Schools must continue working on a socially safe school climate

In his letter, the minister shows that he has high ambitions for social safety in schools. For example, the minister wants to expand the annual school monitor: he wants schools to administer the monitor to as large a proportion of the students as possible. He is also extending this monitor to education staff. For the minister’s full plans and intentions, School & Veiligheid refers to the parliamentary letter ‘Free and safe education’.

School & Veiligheid supports schools

School & Veiligheid is pleased with the minister’s continued attention to social safety at school. Working towards a socially safe school climate concerns everyone within the school: school leadership, teachers, non-teaching staff, students and parents. As an expertise centre in the field of social safety, School & Veiligheid is happy to support schools and education professionals in working towards a socially safe climate with its knowledge, materials and the School & Veiligheid Advice Centre.

Social safety and citizenship

In his letter, the minister also discusses the importance of the strengthened citizenship mandate. Under this mandate, a school must ensure that its school culture is in accordance with the core values (equal, free and solidaristic). At the same time, the school is a place to practise dealing with and acting in accordance with these values. This can and may cause friction. And despite these differences, the atmosphere in the classroom must remain safe.

For School & Veiligheid, the relationship between citizenship education and creating a socially safe school climate is evident. That is why School & Veiligheid is part of the Citizenship Expertise Centre. Schools can turn to the Citizenship Expertise Centre for up-to-date information, tips and inspiration on shaping citizenship education.

Need help and advice? Contact the Advice Centre

Working towards a socially safe school climate can sometimes be complicated. Whether it concerns drafting protocols and policies, intervening in incidents or preventing them: sometimes you need advice. In such cases, you can always turn to the School & Veiligheid Advice Centre. The Advice Centre’s staff support education professionals with a wide range of questions: from general questions about social safety policy to discussing specific situations. The Advice Centre can be reached by telephone (030-2856616), WhatsApp (030-2856615) and email ([email protected]) on school days from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.