Condensed Insight: Circumstances under which UAE school students may undergo permanent expulsion or disciplinary transfer explained.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Education Ministry has recently approved a new Student Behaviour Code for the current academic year, aiming to foster a values-based learning environment and ensure schools remain safe, respectful, and conducive to learning.
The new framework classifies student misconduct into four levels of severity.
Level 1 outlines 11 minor violations, including tardiness, failure to wear the official school uniform, inappropriate hairstyles, and neglecting to bring textbooks or school supplies. Disciplinary actions for Level 1 violations include verbal warnings, written notices, and point deductions from the student's behaviour grade for repeated cases.
Level 2 addresses more disruptive or socially concerning behaviours such as unexcused absences, leaving class without permission, inciting or threatening fights, and expressions that conflict with societal norms. Disciplinary actions for Level 2 violations include point deductions, temporary suspensions, and repeated written warnings.
Level 3 includes eleven serious offenses like bullying, cheating, fleeing school, unauthorized photography, physical assaults, and destruction of school property. Repeat offenses in Level 3 can lead to mandatory transfer to another school with continued behavioural tracking, psychological or behavioural intervention, and mandatory parental conferences for Level 3 offenders.
Level 4 outlines thirteen severe and criminal acts including sexual or violent assaults, weapon possession, drug abuse, arson, organized theft, and dissemination of extremist ideologies. Immediate suspension and seizure of involved materials are enforced in Level 4 cases. Referral to legal or security authorities may also occur.
Students referred to a school behaviour committee for formal evaluation are subject to permanent expulsion or disciplinary transfer, based on official rulings, in Level 4 cases. Disciplinary transfers to other schools are allowed for repeated misconduct.
Teachers are instructed to begin with verbal warnings, escalate to written notices, and deduct points from the student's behaviour grade for repeated cases. Immediate suspension for students engaging in Level 3 violations is also implemented.
The ministry's initiative underscores its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students in the UAE. The Student Behaviour Code serves as a comprehensive guide for schools to address misconduct effectively and promote positive behaviour among students.
