UNICEF launches new online children’s mine safety course for teachers and emergency service workers

18 December 2023 — The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has launched a new course “Delivering mine safety to children” for teachers, state emergency service workers, and police officers, to teach age-appropriate landmine safety to children and adolescents in an engaging manner that adheres to international explosive ordnance education standards. 

Some 30 per cent of Ukraine's territory is potentially contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance, posing a significant threat to the younger generation. Instilling safe behaviour among children, therefore, is critically important. This course aims to help children navigate potential dangers during and after the war until the entire Ukrainian territory is cleared of explosive remnants.

“Safe behaviour skills play a pivotal role in a child's development, particularly during times of war,” said Munir Mammadzade, UNICEF Representative to Ukraine. “Beyond merely sensitizing children about hazards, it is essential to instil safer behaviour. When children internalize and demonstrate these skills, it evolves into a life-saving habit,” he added.

The course delivers comprehensive lesson plans for children on explosive ordnance and integrates international standards, equipping educators with practical tools to foster safe behaviour around landmines and explosive ordnance. UNICEF has collaborated with experts in child and developmental psychology, pedagogy, inclusive education, explosive ordnance risk education, and behavioural change to empower course participants to become effective safety proponents for children and youth.

The course comes in two versions: one designed for educators and another tailored for employees of the State Emergency Service and the National Police. The course has been recommended by the Methodological Council of the Ukrainian Institute for Educational Development. 

All materials developed by UNICEF for children of different ages cover four aspects of explosive ordnance education: recognizing dangerous objects, identifying places where these objects may be, understanding signs warning about mines, and practicing safe behaviour.

The course programme consists of three modules focusing on what a child needs to know about mine safety, how to engage children, and teaching in a manner that is clear for all children aged 6 years old and 16 years old. The course also explores the appropriateness of using a game format to explain such concepts. 

The course includes tips on establishing a safe environment, providing psychological support for children, conducting knowledge assessments, and delivering ideas, materials, and presentations for engaging online and offline classes. It also incorporates international standards and approaches for behavioural change, introducing creative formats like learning and play to improve the child's behaviour toward safety. 

The course is accessible at bezpeka.info. All participants completing the entire programme receive a certificate of advanced training. Participants will gain valuable knowledge and skills essential for effectively teaching mine safety to children and youth. 

The educational course was developed by educators, psychologists, child protection specialists, and social and behavioural change experts in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Prepared by an NGO “Zakarpattia Cultural Platform”, it received support from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine as part of a project aimed at fostering a culture of safety for children and youth.