Private schools in Abu Dhabi must have a safety officer, an on-site clinic and a smoke-free campus – News

Private schools in Abu Dhabi must provide a healthy and safe environment for all staff, students and visitors, in line with the latest guidelines from the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) and the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center (ADPHC).

Schools must implement comprehensive policies that outline the responsibilities of students, staff, contractors and visitors. The policy emphasizes training staff and students on potential risks and ensuring all students have access to high-quality health services at school clinics at no additional cost.

Although the rules came into force from the 2024/25 academic year, schools are expected to be fully compliant with the updated rules by 1 February 2026.

Here are the occupational health and safety rules that private schools in the capital must follow:

Schools must appoint a dedicated, full-time occupational health and safety officer to be responsible for implementing and supervising occupational health and safety policies. They may be assigned other important roles (e.g. facility manager) as long as health and safety remains their priority. A deputy may be appointed to cover shorter leaves of an officer.

The officer is required to remain on school premises throughout the day. To ensure targeted oversight, this role cannot be shared across multiple campuses. A health official must meet certain training and qualification requirements (see below) until February 1, 2026

The policy requires that all students receive education on health and safety issues such as road safety, risk management, fire safety and first aid.

Schools also ensure that all staff have been trained to equip them with basic knowledge (including reporting of unsafe and health and safety incidents) and practical skills to protect pupils.

Schools must comply maximum weight limits to students’ school bags. A student’s school bag should not exceed 5-10 percent of the child’s packed body weight, taking into account individual factors such as general health, physical strength and any existing medical conditions. These guidelines are intended to: prevent undesirable effects on the student’s spine or body.

Schools must follow procedures for the safe storage and safe use of potentially hazardous substances and equipment, including laboratory chemicals, biological materials, cleaning agents, workshop tools, and maintenance equipment.

Smoke-free campus: Schools must maintain a smoke-free environment both on-site and in neighborhoods by enforcing a strict no-smoking (including e-cigarette/vaping) policy for all students, staff and visitors.

Schools must now operate clinics to provide health care services, run by a full-time licensed school nurse. These clinics must meet Department of Health (DoH) standards. Schools are required to obtain and maintain a health care facility license from the Department of Health in order to operate their clinic.

Medications must be administered in accordance with Department of Health requirements, which include management of accidents and medical emergencies such as anaphylaxis and seizures. This process requires a completed parental consent form.

Regular basic and comprehensive medical examinations should be carried out. Schools are also required to facilitate access for Department of Health-designated health care providers to conduct the school’s student immunization program.