Safer Learning Environments (SLE) Assessment Toolkit
USAID Education in Crisis and Conflict Network (ECCN) has developed a Safer Learning Environments (SLE) Assessment Toolkit. Three previous drafts of the toolkit have been piloted by teams in nine countries and the final version is ready to use. This version is a significant revision to the SLE Qualitative Toolkit that also incorporates quantitative methods, and extended guidance on conducting ethical research in crisis and conflict contexts.
Why is this toolkit needed?
An assessment of safety within the learning environment can provide critical information that supports efforts at reducing programmatic, fiduciary, and institutional risks in education programs, particularly those in conflict and crisis environments. The SLE Toolkit, like the Rapid Education and Risk Analysis (RERA) Toolkit with which it is closely aligned, aims to provide users, and in particular Implementing Partners seeking a quick diagnostic exercise that focuses on a specific project, with guidance on understanding these risks to safe learning.
What are the reasons to use this tool instead of others?
- Relies on ECCN’s SLE Conceptual Framework (see figure)
- Differentiates multiple types of risks to safety
- Highly detailed but adaptable methodology
- Appropriate for junior or expert researchers
- Rapid (four week) process
- Yields actionable and user-friendly descriptive report
When should this toolkit be used?
- At any stage during the program cycle to inform program design and/or adaptation
- To supplement and/or inform M&E processes