CS trains over 1000 staff across Emirates National Schools

The programme was designed and delivered by a specialised child protection psychologist and incorporated a structured methodology that included pre- and post-training assessments to measure the impact on participants’ knowledge and professional practices.

Training engaged staff across different school facilities, including approximately 240 cleaning and facilities personnel, around 175 security staff, more than 70 catering staff, about 20 nursing personnel, and over 520 school transport drivers and bus supervisors. Participants were distributed across the six branches, with around 470 participants in the Abu Dhabi and Al Ain branches, approximately 90 in Dubai, more than 160 in Sharjah, and around 110 in Ras Al Khaimah.

All sessions were delivered virtually, enabling staff across the six branches to participate simultaneously and ensuring consistent training messages, unified procedures, and a shared understanding of responsibilities and response pathways.

Strengthening the roles of school staff

The programme focused on clarifying the practical responsibilities of different staff categories within the school environment, based on the principle that child protection is a shared responsibility requiring the readiness of all personnel within the scope of their daily duties. Training was tailored to reflect the nature of each role and strengthen the ability of staff to identify risks early and respond appropriately.

Cleaning and facilities staff were trained to recognise environmental risks and unusual indicators within school facilities and to report concerns early, reflecting their continuous presence across school spaces. Security staff strengthened their readiness in managing entry and exit points, monitoring high-interaction areas, and responding to emergency situations.

For catering staff, the training addressed student safety in dining areas and the reduction of potential health or behavioural risks, while nursing staff focused on recognising physical or health-related indicators of possible harm or neglect and strengthening professional response, documentation, and reporting practices.

Training for school transport drivers and bus supervisors addressed their role in ensuring children’s safety during transport, including safe boarding and disembarking procedures, monitoring student behaviour, and responding promptly to potential risks.

The programme also included practical training on early identification of indicators of harm or neglect, professional response mechanisms, documentation and reporting procedures, and managing situations in high-interaction areas such as playgrounds, restrooms, arrival and dismissal points, and school buses. Pre- and post-assessments were used to track improvements in participants’ understanding of procedures and reporting pathways.

Embedding a sustainable preventive approach

Commenting on the programme, H.E. Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Organisation, said: “This programme reflects our commitment to moving from awareness to daily practice by empowering staff, each within their role, to play an active part in protecting children. Building a safe school environment requires an integrated institutional approach based on continuous training, clear procedures, and a culture of early reporting and shared responsibility, which we are strengthening in partnership with educational institutions across the country, in line with the UAE’s national efforts to advance child protection systems and place children’s safety and wellbeing at the forefront.”

She also noted that investing in capacity-building is a fundamental pillar in ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing, and in embedding a sustainable preventive approach that places the best interests of the child at the centre of educational and administrative practices within schools.

A culture of prevention and shared responsibility

Ahmad Al Bastaki, Deputy Director General of Emirates National Schools, said: “Emirates National Schools places strong importance on providing a safe and inclusive learning environment that ensures the wellbeing of students at all times, and investing in staff training is a fundamental part of achieving this goal. Our collaboration with the Child Safety Organisation has strengthened staff readiness and aligned understanding of child protection procedures, enabling schools to respond effectively in line with best practices.”

He added that delivering the programme simultaneously across branches helped unify training messages and strengthen consistency in the application of procedures, reinforcing a culture of prevention and shared responsibility across school environments.

Development of safe and sustainable learning environments

The Integrated Capacity-Building Programme will conclude in April with a virtual training session for teachers, administrators, supervisory staff, and child protection specialists, focusing on identification, response, reporting, documentation, and referral procedures.

As part of its next phase, the programme will be rolled out across all public and private schools in the emirate in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Sharjah Private Education Authority, aiming to strengthen staff capacity and standardise child protection practices.

The “Child Protection Methodology” Programme forms part of the Child Safety Organisation’s broader efforts to reinforce collaboration with educational institutions and embed a comprehensive preventive framework that places children’s safety at the core of the school experience, supporting safe and sustainable learning environments.