The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) organised a series of workshops for principals of public and private schools on the implementation of a child protection policy. ADEC developed the policy at the start of the 2016-17 school year, and comes in line with a 2016 law on child protection.

The workshops aimed at educating school leaders and staff on the mechanism of implementing the policy and reporting procedures of abuse or neglect cases.

The workshops highlighted that the school staff is responsible for raising awareness on child protection.

Dr Layla Alhyas, programme manager at ADEC’s health and wellness division, indicated that the policy ensures implementation of unified student protection procedures across all schools. It provides clear guidance on ways to protect children from all forms of abuse, bullying, exploitation or neglect, as well as identifying and supporting students who may have suffered from any form of abuse or neglect.

According to the policy, school leaders as well as staff, have a common responsibility to report cases of suspected child abuse and neglect.

The workshops explained different forms of abuse and neglect that students may be exposed to, as well as the indicators of a suspected abuse.

Participants were presented with the unified process of reporting via the Child Protection Centre hotline (116111), provided by the Ministry of Interior, as well as the electronic reporting link available on ADEC’s website. It was stressed that case reports and student data are strictly kept confidential as per the child protection policy.

According to the policy, school staff is responsible for reinforcing student willingness to report their concerns regarding abuse and neglect, without fear of reprisal or punishment. The importance of maintaining effective communication channels between schools and parents is vital.

A mother of two said that neglect does not necessarily only take place at home, but also by students at schools.

“It is important for teachers to inform us as parents if our children are being bullied, victimised and abandoned by other students.”

“Abandonment does not necessarily just take place within an unhealthy home, but also outside, and our kids spend a majority of their time at schools.”

The mother pointed out that her daughter experienced bullying first hand, which lead her to feeling low on self-confidence and she started isolating herself from family and friends.

She said that school staff did not intervene or contact her when other students picked on her daughter.

“My daughter was often bullied and unfortunately the staff did not inform me, although they were aware that a group of students picked on her.”

“I had to intervene and speak to the parents of the bullies, as a concerned mother,” she added.