Dubai: Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced a unified safeguarding and learner protection framework covering private educational institutions across the emirate, including early childhood centres, schools and higher education institutions.
Announced at a media briefing on Friday, November 13, the new Policy Framework for Safeguarding and Learner Protection establishes common standards for protecting learners from abuse, neglect, exploitation, cyberbullying and other forms of harm.
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The framework also extends protection to learners aged 18 and above, ensuring safeguarding measures are not limited to children in schools.
KHDA grants one-year grace period for safeguarding rules
Fatma Al Janahi, Director of Foundation and Growth Policies & Programs at KHDA told Gulf News, the new safeguarding framework would be implemented in phases, with educational institutions given a one-year grace period to meet certain requirements.
However, she stressed that cases involving children who need immediate protection or support must be addressed without delay. “If a child needs support and needs an immediate action, the institution is required to take the action immediately to get the support needed,” she said.
Al Janahi explained that while institutions must respond immediately to safeguarding concerns, other requirements, such as staff training, would be introduced gradually.
