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

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

Promoting positive behavior is a priority, particularly when addressing misbehavior among students. However, private schools in Abu Dhabi are prohibited from using the following methods to discipline students:

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Schools must establish a student conduct policy that outlines acceptable corrective actions, ensuring they are proportionate, age-appropriate, and aligned with disciplinary guidelines. What schools allow when disciplining a student?

Schools should ensure that their misconduct policies and procedures distinguish between different levels of misconduct. Not all levels of misconduct warrant expulsion from off-site school activities. However, certain infractions categorized as levels two, three, and four may result in the student’s expulsion from school.

Levels of misconduct

level two Offenses include leaving or entering the classroom without permission, failing to attend required school events without an acceptable excuse, and engaging in physical fights or bullying of peers. Additional offenses include causing minor damage to school property, using phones without permission, and verbally abusing members of the school community. Possessing or using tobacco products, refusing to follow safety instructions.

Level three Offenses include harassment, intimidation, bullying or abuse of any member of the school community, including defamation on social media. Other crimes involve document fabrication, identity theft, and academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism. Also included are leaving school grounds without permission, vandalizing school property, and setting off fire alarms or fire extinguishers. Additional violations include vandalizing the school bus, assaulting others without causing injury, reckless driving on school grounds, and capturing or distributing staff or student media without consent.

Level four Crimes include using communication tools for illegal or immoral purposes that bring the school and its community into disrepute. Other crimes include possessing or distributing weapons, committing sexual assault or harassment, and assaulting others causing injury. Also included are stealing, capturing or sharing illegal content, leaking test questions, and setting fire to school property. Insulting political, religious or social figures in the UAE, consuming or distributing alcohol and drugs, promoting culturally inappropriate ideas, engaging in illegal digital activities, and trespassing on school premises outside of working hours are serious violations. Persistent bullying or harassment, including defamation on social media.

Schools must outline clear and organized disciplinary procedures to address student misbehavior. While schools may be lenient in applying disciplinary measures, they retain the right to follow the procedures outlined. below.

First time – written warning: The student must sign a commitment agreeing not to repeat the infraction. Call the parents, who must sign an agreement to support their child in the reform.

Second time – suspension in place: Temporarily suspend the student for up to two days and assign supervised study assignments within school, notifying parents accordingly. Additionally, inform both the student and parent of a second written warning. Parents are required to sign a pledge to support the Behavior Management Committee (BMC) agreed strategy for student reform.

Third time – suspension in place: Temporarily suspend the student for up to three days and assign supervised study assignments within school. Issue a final written warning to both the student and his or her parents. Notify the committee to finalize a plan to address the student’s behavior. Parents must sign an agreement to support the proposed strategy.

More than 3 times – expulsion: Immediately suspend the student off-site until the conclusion of the investigation for a maximum of five days, with parent notification.

The committee will evaluate the evidence and determine a set of final disciplinary actions, which may include expulsion. If the student continues to reoffend after these measures, the school may request Adek’s expulsion. The application to Adek must include evidence that all of the above steps were followed, together with proof of having provided appropriate support and advice in line with the behavioral strategy.

Ajanta Pablo

Ajanta Paul is a senior editor on the digital team. A natural leader and bloodhound, he excels in breaking news and high-pressure situations, and enjoys reporting on community issues that are important to UAE residents.