Case study: Promoting schools as zones of peace (SZOP Campaign) in Nepal

Although schools are not a direct target of conflict-related activities, school functioning in Nepal has experienced significant hindering as a result of political unrest and instability, which is disrupting the education of school children. After documenting the process and activities of successful local initiatives, consultations were carried out to develop the Schools as Zones of Peace (SZOP) National Framework, aimed to develop a national policy for establishing all schools as Zones of Peace by keeping them free from political and other interference – discrimination, violence, corporal punishment, neglect and exploitation. The consultations were organized with relevant stakeholders including the Ministry of Education, Educational Journalist Group and other partners.