East Africa School Safeguarding Observatory(EASSO)
Leading youth-driven research for safer education.
Our Profile
EASSO was established to address the critical gaps in student protection, specifically where absent localized data and overlooked youth perspectives leave children at risk. We work to align policy with real-world safety. Our Mission is to spearhead youth-led research and oversight of educational settings to create evidence-based safeguards across East Africa. Our Vision is an era where school leadership is held accountable, and young people drive the standards that define safe learning. EASSO is led by a youth researcher and PhD candidate in education, bringing together evidence, safeguarding practice and youth voice.
EASSO’s baseline research shows that around 70% of students in East African schools feel unsafe or unsure about reporting safeguarding concerns at school.
Core Values
Our work is anchored in transparency, youth agency, and a rigorous, research-first approach to institutional reform.
Youth Leadership
Young people are the primary architects of our research, ensuring that safeguarding solutions are relevant and impactful.
Systemic Accountability
We foster transparency by monitoring how schools implement protection policies and identifying where these systems fail.
Integrity First
Maintaining the highest ethical standards in data collection to provide donors and partners with reliable, actionable insights.
Evidence-Led Path
Transforming raw data into strategic recommendations that influence national education ministries and school boards.
Safe Environments
Advocating for student-centered reporting tools that eliminate the fear and barriers associated with seeking protection.
Regional Impact
Uganda
Kenya
We are currently scaling our evidence-based monitoring frameworks to include Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and the South Sudan region.