S.E.C.U.R.E. Framework

The UNESCO AI Competency Framework for Teachers sets out the knowledge, skills and values teachers require to navigate the use of AI in education. It adopts a human-centred, ethical approach and emphasises professional agency, inclusive practice and institutional support. While it is primarily a capability framework, not a compliance tool, it outlines the system-level enablers needed to support safe and informed AI adoption in teaching contexts.

The S.E.C.U.R.E. framework complements this by operationalising several of the system-level requirements described in the UNESCO framework. Where UNESCO identifies the need for institutional accountability, professional learning, and policy alignment, S.E.C.U.R.E. provides a practical mechanism for implementation. It establishes a consistent, transparent process for evaluating GenAI use cases against risk criteria, removing the burden of technical assessment from individual staff. Instead, it supports staff to engage with GenAI confidently and responsibly within defined boundaries.

S.E.C.U.R.E. reinforces UNESCO’s emphasis on human-centred design by embedding ethical checks and requiring staff to pause and reflect when risks are flagged. Its focus on inclusive and responsible use aligns with UNESCO’s call for AI to serve educational goals while safeguarding human rights, cultural knowledge and teacher agency. Although it is not a training framework, S.E.C.U.R.E. promotes professional awareness by encouraging documentation, consultation and ongoing reflection. In doing so, it enables staff to act in ways that align with the competencies outlined in UNESCO’s framework, and helps institutions meet their obligations to support safe, ethical and pedagogically sound AI adoption.