What It Means for Safeguarding Standards in Dubai Schools
Urgent Update: KHDA Shifts Focus, Safeguarding Remains Core for Dubai Schools
Dubai’s educational landscape is continually evolving, and a significant announcement from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has grabbed headlines this May. The KHDA has declared a pause on routine, full school inspections for most private schools in the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. While this signals a move towards greater collaboration and self-evaluation, for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) and school leaders across Dubai, the paramount importance of safeguarding standards and student wellbeing remains absolutely unchanged – in fact, it’s amplified.
Understanding the KHDA’s Evolving Approach
The KHDA’s decision aims to foster an environment where schools take even greater ownership of their continuous improvement journey. This isn’t a halt on quality assurance; rather, it’s a strategic pivot. While comprehensive full inspections are paused, the KHDA has explicitly stated that they will continue to conduct targeted visits focusing on specific areas related to educational quality, school development, and crucially, student wellbeing.
This means that while the “inspection” label might change, the fundamental expectation for schools to provide a safe, nurturing, and high-quality environment for every child persists.
Safeguarding: The Unwavering Priority in Dubai’s Educational System
For DSLs and safeguarding teams, this announcement underscores the vital need for robust internal systems. Safeguarding and child protection are not merely regulatory checkboxes; they are the absolute foundation upon which all educational quality and student wellbeing are built.
- Student Wellbeing is Key: The KHDA’s continued focus on “wellbeing” directly encompasses a school’s safeguarding effectiveness. A school cannot truly promote wellbeing if its safeguarding practices are weak or inconsistent. This includes physical safety, mental health support, and protection from all forms of abuse.
- Quality & Standards Through Self-Evaluation: With a pause on full external inspections, the onus shifts even more heavily onto schools’ internal self-evaluation processes (SEFs). Your school’s ability to critically assess, identify gaps, and proactively strengthen its safeguarding policies and procedures will be paramount. This proactive approach is what ensures continuous high standards.
- Compliance with UAE Laws: Regardless of inspection models, Dubai schools operate under the stringent guidelines of UAE federal laws, including Wadeema’s Law (Federal Law No. 3 of 2016), which explicitly protects children’s rights and outlines reporting duties for child abuse. Your adherence to these laws remains non-negotiable.
What This Means for DSLs and School Leaders
This period presents an opportunity to truly embed a culture of continuous safeguarding improvement:
- Strengthen Internal Reviews: Regularly audit your safeguarding policies, procedures, and practices. Are they up-to-date with the latest UAE guidance and best international practice?
- Prioritize Staff Training: Ensure all staff, from teaching to administrative and support roles, receive ongoing, high-quality safeguarding training that covers all forms of abuse, online safety, and how to report concerns effectively.
- Enhance Wellbeing Programs: Actively review and strengthen your school’s mental health and wellbeing support systems for students, recognizing their direct link to safeguarding.
- Proactive Online Safety: With developments like Google Gemini AI now accessible to younger users and the ongoing commitment of the UAE Digital Wellbeing Pact, schools must lead in educating students, staff, and parents on digital literacy and online risks.
- Robust Reporting Mechanisms: Ensure clear, accessible, and well-understood reporting channels are in place for students, staff, and parents to raise any safeguarding concerns.
The KHDA’s evolving approach is a testament to Dubai’s dynamic educational environment. For safeguarding, it’s a powerful reminder that our vigilance, dedication, and proactive commitment to protecting every child must always be at the forefront.