Child Friendly SchoolsUNICEF

Whether they lack safe drinking water, endure climate-related hazards or use out-of-date textbooks, many children go to school in conditions that are not conducive to learning.  The child-friendly school (CFS) model is UNICEF’s signature means to advocate for and promote quality education for every girl and boy.  Child-friendly schools enable all children to achieve their full potential.  The CFS model strives to help schools achieve safe, healthy and protective environments that meet the specific needs of their children.

In 2009, UNICEF published the Child Friendly Schools Manual to serve as a reference document and practical guidebook to help countries implement CFS models appropriate to their specific circumstances.  The Manual covers a range of topics on child-friendly schools such as location, design and construction, schools as protective environments and costs and benefits.  To offer additional guidance, UNICEF recently published four new Companions to the Manual: Child Social and Financial Education, School Readiness and Transitions, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools and Climate Change and Environmental Education.

Child Social and Financial Education  This module introduces the Child Social and Financial Education (CSFE) concept and provides guidelines for implementing CSFE as part of the life skills programing in child-friendly schools. It presents a relevant, integrative and child-centred curriculum that is designed to facilitate the learning of social responsibility and financial competency. English | French | Spanish

	School Readiness and Transitions This module provides guidance to policymakers, educators, programme professionals and practitioners on how to promote holistic early learning and development. It can be used in several ways, including: as a resource document for early childhood programmes, preparing children and families for primary school entry; and as an advocacy document for promoting school readiness practices in the transition to the early grades of primary school. English | French | Spanish
	WASH in Schools The CFS approach to education guarantees all children the right to schools that are safe and protective, that offer potable drinking water, hand-washing facilities and clean, safe toilets. This module provides an in-depth guide to promoting WASH in Schools through curriculum and classroom practices. English | French | Spanish
	Climate Change and Environmental Education The purpose of this module is to provide in-depth information on how Climate Change and Environmental Education (CCEE) can be integrated into the design, implementation and practice of child-friendly schools. English | French | Spanish

All four of the new modules offer general guidance that is adaptable to particular context and settings.  The CFS Manual and companion pieces are also available at: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_49574.html.