Dubai introduces child protection framework for private education sector

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced a child protection framework to tackle abuse, bullying and cyberbullying in private schools, early learning centres and higher education institutions.

The adaptable policy framework for safeguarding and learner protection will establish unified and shared standards and clear requirements for prevention, protection, response and follow-up in every day practices across all KHDA-licensed educational institutions.

Each institution will appoint at least two officials to act as safeguarding governors and child protection coordinators, alongside at least two deputies, responsible for providing transparency in dealing issues, including in-person and online abuse and bullying cases.

They will also be responsible for establishing and integrating the tiered safeguarding structure, coordinating a core team to deal with concerns and responses and providing specialist expertise.

For digital safety, steps taken include filtering and monitoring applied to devices, networks and digital platforms used by the institutions, curriculums and programmes having culturally-appropriate safety education to help users recognise online risks and guidance for parents and/or guardians to support responsible technology use at home.

These standards will apply to learners aged 21 or under, while for learners aged 18 to 21, institutions remain responsible for identifying concerns, providing support and ensuring internal reporting.

The framework forms part of Dubai’s wider government efforts to strengthen child protection and care across the emirate, contributing to the objectives of Dubai’s Child Protection Protocol, approved by the Executive Council of Dubai.

Speaking to ARN News, Fatma Al Janahi, Director of Foundation and Growth Policies and Programmes, explained how the policy will tackle the dangers of AI and the use of technology inside and outside the classroom:

Within the next week, the KHDA will conduct familiarisation sessions for all education institutions in preparation for the implementation of the policy by the first quarter of 2027.

These sessions will include supporting the institutions with "practical resources and guidance, while monitoring its implementation".

A selection of other policy standards will give institutions a grace period of one year to implement, while a termly and annual review of the safeguarding data at each institution will be provided.

Additional role-specific training will be required for staff who require enhanced safeguarding awareness, including boarding, transport, sports, off-site provision, digital environments and one-to-one settings.

The KHDA said the move will strengthen safer recruitment and suitability with pre-employment vetting.

The policy is framed around four pillars: safeguarding foundations, enabling mechanisms, safeguarding processes and safeguarding rigour, while the five guiding principles for the standards are: safeguarding, protection, accountability, responsibility and knowledge (SPARK).

Al Janahi added that the success of the framework will depend on "institutions translating the directives into clear policies, defined responsibilities and everyday practices that help keep learners safe".