Policy Recommendations for Safe Education: A Green Paper on Preventing Early School Leaving

This document is a strategic framework developed by the LET'S CARE project to prevent Early School Leaving (ESL) and address academic underachievement across the European Union. Based on extensive desk research, ethnographies, and participatory consultations across six European countries, the paper advocates for a systemic shift toward a "Safe Education" ecosystem. This model operates on the principle that emotional security, belonging, and well-being are fundamental prerequisites for successful cognitive learning. The proposed policy recommendations are structured around four integrated pillars:

• Safe Learning: The framework recommends transitioning from punitive discipline to positive, nonviolent discipline. It emphasizes integrating Socio-Emotional Education (SEE) into school curricula and funding training for adaptive pedagogies like the Universal Design for Learning. It also calls for reducing class sizes and allocating resources for specialized staff, such as psychologists and special pedagogues.
• Safe Teaching: The paper highlights the immediate need to reduce non-didactic and administrative workloads for educators through digitalization. It strongly advocates for investing in teacher well-being and funding continuous professional development focused on socio-emotional competencies, conflict resolution, and inclusive practices.
• Safe School: The document proposes developing inter-sectoral strategic plans that coordinate education, health, employment, and social services. It suggests implementing data-driven Early Warning Systems and robust anti-bullying protocols. Furthermore, it stresses the need to formalize family-school partnership charters and validate diverse vocational and non-academic student aspirations.
• Safe Education: The overarching goal is to systematically integrate the components of Safe Learning, Safe Teaching, and Safe Schools into national and regional policies. This requires a cultural shift in educational institutions to value well-being and positive relationships as core requirements for educational equity. Ultimately, the Green Paper concludes that educational success is deeply tied to relational security, urging policymakers to move beyond fragmented, isolated interventions in favor of holistic, ecosystem-based support.