Dubai: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai has launched a unified framework for student safety and protection in private education institutions, which defines the responsibilities of institutions and mechanisms for prevention, reporting and response. It also classifies cases that threaten student safety into three levels according to their degree of severity, while specifying procedures for dealing with each level.
The framework includes schools, early childhood centres, higher education institutions, and vocational training and education institutes licensed by the KHDA, and covers in-person and virtual learning environments.
The KHDA announced the framework during a press conference held yesterday, in the presence of the Executive Director of the Policy, Research and Programs Sector at the authority, Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, and the Director of the Early Childhood and Development Policies and Programs Department, Fatima Mohammed Al Janahi.
Bin Kharbash stated that the well-being, quality of life, and development of learners are fundamental pillars for building the future of society. He emphasised that the framework places children and families at the heart of the social development process and clarifies the roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms for educational institutions.
He added that the framework is based on the principles established by the Child Rights Law (Wadeema) and complements existing legislation and policies in the UAE and Dubai. It also supports the objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33 and the Dubai Education Strategy 2033.
He pointed out that protecting students requires effective leadership, qualified staff, and proactive parents, in addition to establishing an institutional culture that listens to students and provides them with support.
Fatima Mohammed Al Janahi said that the framework defines the roles within educational institutions and obliges each school to form a student protection team, which includes the school principal as a supervisor, and at least two student protection officers who assume clear responsibilities in this area.
She explained that student protection officers are responsible for monitoring cases, receiving and evaluating reports, and coordinating with specialists and senior management to determine the appropriate action, while the school principal is responsible for supervising the protection system and ensuring the effectiveness of its systems, without directly managing the cases.
She added that the responsibilities include educational and academic staff and boards of trustees, in order to ensure the integration of roles and a swift response to concerns related to student safety.
She indicated that the authority will work on preparing specialised training programs for those tasked with protecting students, in addition to qualifying the rest of the staff and members of the boards of trustees to deal with cases, and follow reporting and coordination procedures.
Dr. Samia Al Dhaoui, an educational expert at the authority, said that the framework classifies cases that threaten the safety of students into three levels, and specifies for each the mechanisms of intervention and the parties concerned with dealing with them.
She explained that high-risk cases require immediate intervention and referral to the competent authorities, including Dubai Police and ambulance services, depending on the nature of the case.
As for moderately serious cases, they require intervention and follow-up according to the assessment of the protection team, with the possibility of referring them to the Community Development Authority, or coordinating with the police and ambulance when needed, and informing the KHDA to ensure coordination with parents and relevant authorities.
She added that low-risk cases include initial indicators and observations monitored by the teaching staff, which do not pose a significant risk when detected, but require treatment to prevent their escalation. The institution handles them internally, while informing the authority within 72 hours.
Al Dhaoui stressed that the classification gives priority to intervention for the most serious cases and helps protection teams to choose the appropriate action, noting the importance of continuous training and studying practical scenarios to raise the efficiency of these teams.
The framework is based on four pillars: student protection principles, empowerment, protection procedures, and strict application of standards. It requires institutions to establish clear governance and accountability structures and define oversight and implementation roles within the protection system, ensuring clear responsibilities and effective responses.
It also mandates training for staff before they begin their duties, subjecting them to regular training, and verifying their suitability to work with students. Requirements include safe recruitment procedures and additional training for staff involved in transportation, on-campus accommodation, off-campus activities and services, and digital learning environments.
The scope of prevention extends to students' quality of life, promoting their participation and listening to their opinions, combating bullying, ensuring digital safety, monitoring attendance and absence, school trips and transportation, and services provided by third parties. The framework also requires institutions to provide safe channels that allow students to express and report their concerns.
The framework sets pathways for reporting and escalating cases, and obliges institutions to refer any case involving a direct risk to the safety of the learner to the competent authorities without delay, as well as documenting cases, decisions and procedures, and following up on them until they are closed in accordance with the approved procedures.
Institutions review their protection data at least once a semester and conduct a comprehensive annual review of their systems, while the authority monitors compliance with requirements through its oversight and regulatory procedures. A specialised team within the KHDA also follows up on child protection cases and conflict resolution, in coordination with relevant institutions and entities.
The authority developed the framework in collaboration with government entities and partners in the education community, in support of Dubai’s child protection system, ‘Our Children Are a Trust’.
It also published a guide for families titled ‘Together to Keep Our Children Safe and Protected’, and launched digital resources and tools to support institutions in implementing the requirements and raising awareness among staff, students, and parents. Details of the framework and supporting materials are available on its website.