Learners learn best in schools that provide safety and social support. However, some young people experience violence and harassment in, around, and on the way to school. This includes gender-based violence (GBV), which can take many different forms. Teachers can play an important role in preventing the expression of GBV in the school setting. Teachers, school principals and the broader education system can provide positive role models, empower children and youth to have healthy and respectful relationships, and deliver a violence prevention programme within their curriculum.