Dubai — Students in government schools will soon have to abide by a code of conduct laid down by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
As per the revised code to be made public in the next few weeks, teachers, parents and school managements will be held accountable for a student’s behaviour in school.
The code will outline the Dos’ and Don’ts for students while in the school premises, govern a student’s relationship with the teacher and the management, and ensure that students follow an acceptable behaviour inside the classrooms.
Public schools have welcomed the ministry’s decision.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the ministry’s magazine on Tuesday, Dr Foazia Badri, Executive Director of Educational Affairs at the ministry, told Khaleej Times: “Students should follow an acceptable behaviour in schools. Everyone — parents, teachers, principals and students — should be aware of the prescribed code of conduct, which will regulate students’ behaviour inside the school.”
Though an earlier law mandated student conduct, the revised regulations will ensure that the stakeholders in a student’s education — parents, teachers and school managements or principals — will be responsible and ensure equal participation in their (students’) social development.
The code, which has been drafted, is now with the ministry’s Executive Council for approval. “Once the code has been approved, a circular in this regard will be distributed to all public schools and principals in the UAE,” she added.
Officials, however, declined to reveal the details on what penalties the code entails if students fail to comply with the rules.
Shaikha Khamis, principal of Merbeh School in Fujairah, said: “This is a good strategy.
It’s important for students, especially boys, to be inculcated with good behaviour. We already have existing rules to discipline students but the new code will ensure it is strictly implemented.”
Muna Abdullah, director of Al Kym Public School, said the code reiterated the ministry’s focus on student development.
“Students should abide by the code to ensure they do not harm themselves or others.”
Ministry launches magazine
DUBAI — The Ministry of Education launched the first issue of its magazine, Al Resala (The Message), at its office on Tuesday. The publication aims to raise awareness on the role the ministry plays and the interests and concerns of the UAE leadership in education.
Releasing the magazine, Rashid Salem Lekrabani, director general at the MoE, said, this (magazine) was part of the ministry’s attempts at cementing its relationship with stakeholders and reiterating its transparency.
The monthly magazine, which discusses education issues and ministry announcements, and highlights schools’ progress in various fields, will be available to all public schools and parents.
Preeti Kannan