Schools in UAE must be equipped with internal, external surveillance cameras, says ministry

The Ministry of Education (MoE) emphasised the necessity for school walls, ceilings, and floors to be free of defects, and for all corridors and stairs to be safe and allow for smooth movement, in addition to providing internal and external surveillance cameras in a manner that respects student privacy.

MoE also stressed the school's commitment to requirements and conditions related to school transportation in accordance with current legislation, and that bus drivers and supervisors have the required permits to practise the profession according to the requirements of each emirate, as well as the school following clear procedures for daily monitoring of students using school buses.

"Schools must implement comprehensive policies and procedures which ensure the preservation of student health and safety at all times, and verify the availability of first aid kits in sufficient numbers in the school building and school buses," MoE affirmed.

MoE also emphasised on the safety of electrical connections in the school, insulating them well and keeping them out of students' reach, in addition to ensuring that offices are free of unauthorised electrical devices, and keeping cleaning tools in closed, safe places away from students' reach and organising visitor entry using approved systems for attendance verification and identification.

Regarding students of determination and those with special educational needs, the MoE stressed the school's commitment to providing a qualified environment and supportive programmes for admitting students with disabilities according to the regulations and conditions specified by the Ministry and competent authorities, and that the school should not adopt any policy which implies or aims to exclude people of determination from registering in it, in addition to providing qualified teachers to care for them upon their enrollment in the school and maintaining a special file for each student that includes all their reports and individual plans and a description of the support services provided to them, while updating their data in approved electronic systems and providing an approved special exam which suits their needs.

The MoE also stressed that items sold in school canteens must be approved by competent authorities, and that the canteen must be equipped with appropriate means for displaying food and maintaining required temperatures, besides the necessity that sold food must contain all required production data.

MoE also emphasised the necessity of organising sales outlets to prevent student crowding, transporting and receiving food according to health requirements, keeping a daily sample of sold food, and ensuring the canteen complies with operating requirements and conditions issued by competent authorities and maintaining its cleanliness.

All canteen workers must be licensed and trained in food safety according to approved regulations, and they must adhere to personal hygiene and use appropriate personal protective equipment while working, while storing food items properly and safely and providing an approved price list for sold items displayed in a prominent place for students, MoE stressed.

Regarding public facilities and classrooms, MoE emphasised the necessity of the school's commitment to the school building plan being approved by the Ministry and not using the building for any non-educational or non-pedagogical purpose except with its approval, and ensuring the suitability of classroom equipment and the readiness and organisation of various school facilities according to relevant decisions and policies.

Schools have to provide instructional and identification signs in all facilities and corridors, maintain the cleanliness of all school facilities, carry out periodic maintenance for the building and its facilities, and have to ensure the suitability of the building and facilities for the needs of people of determination, MoE affirmed.

Regarding student behaviour within schools, the Ministry emphasised the implementation of the approved student behaviour management regulations, activating the role of the behaviour management committee in the school and documenting its work, and informing students and their parents of the provisions of the regulations, in addition to monitoring students' commitment to general behavioral discipline and school uniforms.