A relatively new academic field, a highly increasing phenomenon: the recruitment of children in armed groups. Previous research has highlighted the importance of education in the prevention of child recruitment. However, I argue that the already established negative relationship between education and child recruitment is incomplete as education can also positively affect child recruitment. Therefore, it is important to look under which circumstances education decreases the likelihood of child recruitment. No previous research has systematically introduced a theory of the security field into the educational research field while explaining the phenomena of child recruitment. This thesis argues that the security provision in an educational institution is of importance, as a safe learning space can prevent child recruitment through deterrence and empowerment. Using data on Colombian municipalities in 2016, this research aims to statistically investigate the role of security in an educational institution in decreasing the likelihood of child recruitment. This thesis finds that when controlling for displacement, presence of armed groups, poverty, population and rurality, the unexpected outcome that the presence of safe learning spaces, measured through boarding schools, is positively correlated with child recruitment.