Ensuring Children’s Health and Safety: Guidance Issued to All Government Bodies and Citizens

As of today, approximately 257,000 kindergarten-aged children and 826,800 students in general education schools are enrolled nationwide. Due to the indefinite teachers’ strike that began on 20 October 2025, it has become necessary to strengthen child protection measures and ensure children’s safety by preventing potential risks during this period.

Article 4.1.2 of the Law on the Rights of the Child states that “the State, citizens, and legal entities shall prioritize the fundamental rights  of children and ensure their right to survival, development, protection, and participation in social life.”
Article 14.4 of the Law on Child Protection stipulates that “legal entities shall carry out training, advocacy, and awareness-raising activities aimed at preventing risks related to child protection,” and Article 30.3 obliges government organizations to “support and implement child protection measures within the scope of their legal responsibilities.”
Additionally, Article 43.3 of the Labour Law requires employers to “apply flexible working arrangements and support employees in balancing work and family life, reflecting child-friendly and child-protection policies in collective agreements and internal regulations.”

Within the scope of these legal obligations, ministries are advised to provide guidance to their affiliated agencies; provincial and district governors are urged to direct all local organizations to take measures that protect children, prevent risks, and implement child-friendly decisions. Private sector entities are also encouraged to follow these recommendations. The suggested measures include:

1.   During the teachers’ strike, general education schools and kindergartens must share information on at-risk children with provincial and district Child and Family Development and Protection Departments. Agencies should intensify child protection efforts and take all possible measures to ensure children’s rights and safety.

2.  Provincial and district governors should closely monitor high-risk environments, vulnerable households, and children’s safety. They must actively coordinate the work of multidisciplinary teams, community inspectors, and patrol officers, ensuring effective reporting, rapid information flow, and timely interventions.

3.    Where necessary, and without disrupting normal organizational operations, public and private sector employers are urged to:

·Allow one parent or guardian of children aged 12 and under to work remotely or flexibly;

·Allow parents of children aged 0–5 (including single parents) to work remotely;

· Apply flexible working hours and reasonable work-shift arrangements;

· Ensure that all decisions are consistent with child-friendly and child-protection principles.

4.   All public and private organizations are requested to issue guidance and awareness messages for parents and guardians on ensuring children’s health and safety, strengthening supervision, assessing risks in the home and surrounding environment, and eliminating identified hazards.