Abu Dhabi: Staff in Abu Dhabi schools have been advised to be very vigilant regarding child safety, and report even cases in which they suspect any abuse has occurred or neglect has taken place, a senior education official has revealed.
In addition to reporting the suspicion to school leaders, school personnel are also authorized to directly contact the UAE Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre telephone hotline at 116 111, and they must do so within 24 hours of suspicion, reported Gulf News.
This focus on even alleged and suspected abuse and neglect is part of the new Child Protection Policy introduced by the emirate’s education sector regulator, Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), at the start of the ongoing 2016-2017 academic year last month, the report said.
“School staff must understand that the new policy covers even suspected or alleged cases of abuse and neglect. So, they must report any such incidents immediately, and supervise pupils at all times,” Dr. Layla Alhyas, program manager for health and wellness at Adec, was quoted as saying.
“In addition, if a staff member is suspected of an offence that constitutes abuse or neglect, he or she will be temporarily suspended until the suspicion is resolved,” she added.
The new Adec regulations, which follow the implementation of the UAE Federal Law No 3 of 2016 on Child Rights and came into force in April this year, aim to prevent child abuse and curb neglect with the help of all community members, the GN report pointed out.
Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, director-general of Adec, stressed this collective responsibility in a statement issued at the announcement of the Adec policy.
“School principals, school staff, Adec employees and parents are all responsible for reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect. Protecting our children is the responsibility of the community at large. Anyone who suspects or witnesses any risk, harm or injury inflicted on a child, must immediately report it and without hesitation,” he reportedly said.
School leaders will also be briefed about the policy this month so that they can familiarize staff and personnel with its elements, Dr. Alhyas was quoted as saying.
