British Council Launches Safeguarding Toolkit to Address Digital Risks in Egyptian Schools — The British Council

Event summary

British Council and UNICEF launched a Safeguarding Toolkit on March 25, 2026, to support Egyptian schools in addressing digital risks and low disclosure of safeguarding concerns.
The toolkit is rolling out across 2,500+ British Council Partner Schools globally, reaching nearly 1.7 million students.
UNICEF estimates around 150 million students aged 13–15 experience peer-to-peer violence in or around schools globally.
The toolkit aims to bridge the gap between safeguarding policy and consistent day-to-day practice, addressing issues like online grooming and sexual exploitation.

The big picture

The launch of the Safeguarding Toolkit underscores the growing intersection of digital risks and educational environments, particularly in regions like the Middle East and North Africa where social stigma often prevents disclosure. As digital exposure increases, the toolkit represents a strategic move to institutionalize safeguarding practices, moving beyond policy to consistent implementation. The initiative aligns with broader trends in education governance, emphasizing systemic approaches to child protection in an increasingly digital world.

What we're watching

Adoption Pace: The pace at which Egyptian schools integrate the toolkit into daily operations will determine its effectiveness in reducing safeguarding risks.
Digital Risk Evolution: How the toolkit adapts to emerging digital threats, such as AI-generated sexual imagery, will be critical in maintaining its relevance.
Scalability: Whether the toolkit can be effectively scaled across diverse legal and cultural contexts in the 40+ countries where British Council Partner Schools operate.