The Škola priateľská k deťom (Child-Friendly School) program is a global initiative of the children's fund UNICEF. The aim of the project is to create a child-friendly environment in schools and school facilities, applying the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a key factor. Using set criteria, the project educates whole school communities – students, teaching and non-teaching staff, and parents – to apply the rights of the child, with the full participation of children in running the school as an essential element. The aim of the program is to create an environment in schools where every child feels safe, well and confident and is happy to attend. By becoming aware of their own rights and the rights of others, children themselves can change their surroundings for the better. The rights of the child are at the heart of the program. Participation, respect and responsibility are key. A Child-Friendly School does not only teach about children's rights – it lives by them. It sets a framework for how children, teachers and parents work together.
Our school has also joined the UNICEF project and is applying for the title Child-Friendly School.
To obtain the title Child-Friendly School 2017/2018, a school must meet at least these 5 basic criteria:
- providing information about the Child-Friendly School program,
- a noticeboard dedicated to children's rights and cooperation with UNICEF,
- children's rights in the school education program,
- the school's involvement in activities of the Slovak Committee for UNICEF,
- an active student council.