Parents must play a role in teaching their children right from wrong, said education officials and police.

On Tuesday, hundreds of parents and teachers attended a majlis in Al Bateen to learn about new initiatives to guide youngsters.

The majlis was organised by Abu Dhabi Education Council and attended by officials from Abu Dhabi Police and the Ministry of Education.

The three organisations said they would be working together to inculcate moral behaviour in children and to keep them away from illicit drugs.

Next academic year, schools will introduce moral education as a subject in their curriculums, following a directive from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Adec’s director general, said a strong partnership between schools, parents and teachers was important for children’s education.

“This is a new age and the challenges are also new. We need to create an attractive environment for students and teachers,” he said.

“We will never succeed if parents do not work with us.”

He said parents had to play a role in creating “a prominent educational environment for children”, adding that “time is changing fast and we have to work together accordingly”.

He said: “Some students are misguided from the right path, so we have to correct them morally. We need to help them and educate them.”

It was also important to respect domestic workers, such as maids and drivers, who have contact with children, said Dr Al Nuami. “Ask them about their well-being, how they spent their summer vacations and how their families are,” he said.

An Abu Dhabi Police spokesman said there had been cases of drug dealers who tried to get students to be their customers.

“Abu Dhabi Police arrested a person who was trying to sell drugs to a student in Abu Dhabi,” he said, adding that it was important for parents to keep their children away from drugs.

“The police can’t guard each door and each house, so society’s cooperation is important.”

Maryam Al Zaabi, a mother of three who attended the majlis, said she backed the initiative.

“My concern is about the moral values among children. I always try to teach them good morals,” she said.

“I thought that I was the only person who was fighting for this, but when I heard about the new morals curriculum I felt that somebody was standing next to me.”

Mrs Al Zaabi said television, the internet and friends also had an important role to play in a child’s education.

Zahra Al Hosani, the principal of Al Yasat Kindergarten in Shahama, said the morals education programme was a worthwhile idea.

“It will shed light on diverse critical issues and help students to understand different circumstances and how to behave in those situations,” she said.

Similar majlises will take place in the Western Region next Tuesday and in Al Ain next Wednesday.