UAE: Is corporal punishment allowed in schools? Discipline, student expulsion rules in Abu Dhabi explained – News

Schools can create safe and respectful spaces for students’ personal and academic growth by establishing clear behavioral guidelines and addressing any issues quickly.

Educational institutions play a crucial role in creating a safe and positive learning atmosphere. All forms of corporal punishment are strictly prohibited in schools across the country so that students feel safe from physical punishment and abuse.

Promoting positive behavior is a priority, especially when addressing student misconduct. However, private schools in Abu Dhabi are prohibited from using the following methods for student discipline:

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Schools must establish a student conduct policy that outlines acceptable corrective action and ensures that it is proportionate, age appropriate and in line with disciplinary guidelines. What are schools allowed to do when they discipline a student?

Schools should ensure that their misconduct policies and procedures distinguish between different levels of misconduct. Not all forms of misconduct warrant exclusion from school activities outside of school. However, certain offenses classified at levels two, three and four may result in a student being expelled from school.

Levels of misconduct

Level two violations include leaving or entering the classroom without permission, failing to attend mandatory school events without an acceptable excuse, and engaging in physical fights or intimidation of peers. Other offenses include causing minor damage to school property, using telephones without permission and verbally abusing members of the school community. Possessing or using tobacco products and refusing to follow safety instructions.

Level three offenses include bullying, harassment, intimidation or abuse of a member of the school community, including defamation on social media. Other offenses include fabrication of documents, impersonation and academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism. This also includes leaving the school grounds without permission, destroying school property and activating fire alarms or extinguishers. Additional offenses include vandalizing the school bus, assaulting others without causing injury, reckless driving on school property, and capturing or distributing staff or student media without permission.

Level four violations include the use of communications for unlawful or immoral purposes that bring discredit to the school and its community. Other criminal offenses include possessing or distributing weapons, committing assault or intimidation, and assaulting others causing injury. This also includes theft, capturing or sharing unlawful content, leaking exam questions and setting fire to school property. Insulting political, religious or social figures in the UAE, using or distributing alcohol and drugs, promoting culturally inappropriate ideas, engaging in illegal digital activities and entering school buildings outside office hours are serious offenses. Persistent bullying or harassment, including defamation on social media.

Schools must establish clear, phased disciplinary procedures to address student misconduct. Although schools may exercise leniency in administering disciplinary measures, they retain the right to follow the procedures outlined below.

First time – written warning: The student signs an undertaking in which he undertakes not to repeat the violation. Call on the parent who must sign an agreement to support their child in the reforms.

Second time – on-the-spot suspension: Temporarily suspend the student for a maximum of two days and assign supervised study assignments within the school, informing the parent of this. Also notify both the student and parent of a second written warning. Parents must sign a commitment in support of the agreed student reform strategy by the Behavioral Management Committee (BMC).

Third time – suspension on the spot: Temporarily suspend the student for a maximum of three days and assign supervised study assignments within the school. Provide a written final warning to both the student and his/her parents. Inform the committee to develop a plan for addressing the student’s behavior. The parent must sign an agreement supporting the proposed strategy.

More than 3 times – eviction: Immediately suspend the student from school until the end of the investigation for up to five days, with notice to the parent.

The committee will review the evidence and determine a range of final disciplinary actions, which may include expulsion. If the student continues to commit the offense after these measures, the school may request expulsion from Adek. The application to Adek must include evidence that all previous steps have been followed, together with evidence that adequate support and advice has been provided in accordance with the conduct strategy.