Six Priorities Highlighted for a Safe School Year, From Road Safety to Digital Wellbeing.
As children return to classrooms across the UAE, parents and schools have been urged to work together to ensure students have a safe, supportive and positive start to the new academic year.
The Child Safety Organisation in Sharjah has identified six key areas for families and schools to focus on as students settle into the 2026-27 academic year: safe journeys to and from school, health readiness, responsible digital use, respectful behaviour, open communication within families, and regular engagement between parents and teachers.
The organisation said children’s safety begins when they leave home and continues until they return, highlighting the importance of close cooperation among families, schools and the wider community.
Children benefit when the adults around them provide consistent support and guidance, said Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Organisation.
“The school year succeeds when a child is surrounded by one network of trust — a family that listens, a school that notices and embraces them, and a digital space guided by knowledge and responsibility.”
She said children should feel comfortable speaking up, asking for help and building respectful relationships at home, at school and online.
“The more consistent the messages children receive at home, at school and in the digital world, the more aware their choices become and the more stable and positive their school experience will be,” Al Yafei added.
Healthy routines
The organisation also stressed the importance of establishing healthy routines as students return to school.
Regular sleep, balanced meals, physical activity and adequate hydration can support children’s concentration, energy levels and emotional wellbeing during the school day.
Children aged six to 12 generally need nine to 12 hours of sleep each day, while adolescents aged 13 to 18 typically require eight to 10 hours.
The World Health Organisation recommends an average of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day for children and adolescents aged five to 17.
The organisation said maintaining consistent routines during the first few weeks of school can help children adjust to academic schedules and manage the demands of the school day.
Digital safety and bullying
As technology becomes increasingly integrated into children’s education and social lives, the Sharjah organisation urged parents to supervise online activity in age-appropriate ways.
It said digital safety should focus on dialogue and clear family agreements covering privacy, device use and online behaviour, rather than relying solely on restrictions.
Children should also know which trusted adults they can turn to if they encounter inappropriate content, uncomfortable interactions or situations that make them feel unsafe.
The organisation called for cyberbullying to be addressed alongside traditional forms of bullying, as children’s social interactions increasingly extend to digital platforms.
Schools and families were encouraged to promote respect and acceptance of differences, while helping children understand how their behaviour online can affect others.
Talk to children
Regular conversations at home can help identify concerns at an early stage, the organisation said.
Parents were encouraged to look beyond homework and academic performance by taking an interest in their children’s friendships, feelings and experiences at school and online.
Creating an environment where children feel heard can make it easier for them to discuss problems and seek help when needed.
The organisation also urged parents and schools to ensure children know which trusted adults they can approach if something makes them feel uncomfortable or concerned.
Parents and teachers ‘must stay connected’
Communication between parents and teachers was highlighted as another important element of child safety and wellbeing.
Families and schools see different aspects of a child’s life. Parents may notice changes in behaviour, routines and emotions at home, while teachers observe attendance, interactions and relationships in the classroom.
Regular communication can therefore help both sides develop a fuller understanding of a child’s needs and identify potential concerns early.
The organisation said this communication should be built on trust, continuity and respect for the child’s privacy.
Continuing child protection efforts
The Child Safety Organisation said it will continue its awareness and training programmes for children, families and professionals who work with them.
It will also continue working with educational, social, security and health authorities to strengthen child protection and promote practices that support children’s safety and wellbeing.
Child protection concerns in Sharjah can be reported to the Social Services Department’s Child Helpline on 800700.
