STUDENT FRIENDLY SAFEGUARD AND CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
AcademicYear: 2026–2027
EffectiveDate: 1April,2026
PolicyReview: Annually
ApprovedBy: SchoolPrincipalandGoverningBoard
1.OURPROMISETO EVERYSTUDENT
At Pakistani Islamic Private School, Al Ain, we believe that every student has the right to feel safe, respected, happy, and protected.
Your safety and wellbeing are our priority. We want every student to enjoy learning in a friendly environment without fear, bullying, discrimination, abuse, or any form of harm.
Ourschool iscommitted to:
·Protectingeverystudentfromphysical,emotional, andsexual abuse.
·Preventingbullying,cyberbullying,harassment,and discrimination.
·Respectingeverystudent’sdignity,feelings,culture,andpersonalneeds.
·Listeningcarefullywhenever astudent sharesaconcern.
·Providinghelp and supportto students whofeel unsafeor unhappy.
·Makingsurethat allstudents know whereandhow to seek help.
Remember: Youhavetherighttobesafe.Youhavetherighttobeheard.Youhavethe right to ask for help.
2.WHATDOESSAFEGUARDING MEAN?
Safeguardingmeansprotectingchildrenand youngpeoplefromanythingthatmayhurtthemor make them feel unsafe.
Itincludesprotectingstudentsfrom:
1.PhysicalAbuse:When someonehits, kicks, pushes,orphysicallyhurtsyou.
2.EmotionalAbuse:Whensomeonerepeatedlythreatens,insults,humiliates,frightens,or makes you feel worthless.
3.SexualAbuse:Whensomeonetouches yourprivatebodyparts,asks youtotouchtheirs, shows you inappropriate pictures, or makes you do anything sexual that makes you uncomfortable.
4. Neglect: When someone responsible for your care does not provide the basic care, attention, or protection you need.
5. Bullying: When someone repeatedly hurts, threatens, intimidates, or excludes another person.
6. Cyberbullying: When someone uses mobile phones, social media, games, or the internet to threaten, embarrass, or hurt another person.
7. Online Harm: When someone sends inappropriate messages, asks for personal photographs, or tries to make you meet them secretly.
8. Exploitation: When someone takes advantage of you, pressures you, or makes you do something harmful or unsafe.
3. YOUR RIGHTS AS A STUDENT
Every student has the right to:
· Learn in a safe, clean, and supportive school environment.
· Be treated with kindness, dignity, and respect.
· Be protected from bullying, abuse, violence, and discrimination.
· Have their privacy respected.
· Express their feelings and opinions without fear.
· Ask teachers, counsellors, or school leaders for help.
· Receive support when facing personal, family, academic, or emotional difficulties.
· Be treated fairly regardless of background, ability, or individual learning needs.
No student should be made to feel afraid, embarrassed, or unsafe at school.
4. WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE?
If someone hurts you, threatens you, bullies you, touches you inappropriately, or makes you uncomfortable:
1. Stay away from the person or situation if possible.
2. Tell a trusted teacher or any responsible adult immediately.
3. Report the matter to the Social Worker, Safeguarding Lead, Discipline Head, or Principal.
4. Explain what happened in your own words.
5. Do not feel afraid or ashamed to ask for help.
You do not need to have proof before reporting a concern. If something worries you, tell us.
If you see another student being hurt or bullied, do not encourage the behaviour. Report it to a teacher or the safeguarding team.
5. WHO CAN HELP YOU AT OUR SCHOOL?
The following staff members are responsible for helping to protect students and maintain a safe school environment.
You may approach any of these staff members whenever you need help.
You can also speak to your class teacher, subject teacher, coordinator, or another trusted member of school staff.
6. OUR ANTI-BULLYING PROMISE
Our school does not tolerate bullying in any form. Bullying may include:
· Calling someone hurtful names.
· Making fun of someone’s appearance or abilities.
· Threatening or physically hurting another student.
· Spreading rumours or embarrassing stories.
· Deliberately excluding someone from activities.
· Sending insulting or threatening messages·
Sharing someone’s photographs or personal information without permission to hurt or embarrass them.
What should you do if you are bullied?
· Stay calm and move away from the situation if possible.
· Do not respond with violence or bullying.
· Tell your teacher or the Anti-Bullying In-Charge.
· Report online bullying and keep relevant messages or evidence if it is safe to do so.
· Ask for help if you feel worried, frightened, or upset.
What should you do if you see bullying?
· Do not laugh, encourage, or participate.
· Support the student who is being bullied.
· Inform a teacher or the Anti-Bullying In-Charge.
· Never share embarrassing photographs or videos.
Every student deserves kindness and respect.
7. STAYING SAFE ONLINE
The internet is useful for learning, but students must use it responsibly. Always remember:
1. Never share your password with others.
2. Never share your home address, telephone number, or private information with strangers online.
3. Do not communicate secretly with unknown people.
4. Never send private or inappropriate photographs.
5. Do not open suspicious links or download unknown files.
6. Never use social media or messaging applications to bully or threaten others.
7. Tell your parents or a teacher if someone sends you an uncomfortable message.
8. Do not meet someone you first met online without your parent’s knowledge and approval.
Think before you click, type, share, or post. Be kind and responsible online.
8. RESPECTING PERSONAL SPACE AND PRIVACY
Every student has the right to personal space and privacy.
· Nobody should touch your body in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
· You should respect other people’s personal space.
· Never touch another student without their permission.
· Do not force anyone to hug, kiss, or participate in unwanted physical contact.
· Do not take photographs or videos of others without permission.
· Respect privacy in washrooms and changing areas.
· Never share another person’s private photographs, messages, or information.
If someone makes you uncomfortable, say NO, move away if possible, and tell a trusted adult.
9. SCHOOL SAFETY RULES
To keep everyone safe, all students must:
· Follow teachers’ and school staff members’ instructions.
· Walk carefully in corridors and on stairs.
· Never run in crowded areas.
· Avoid fighting, pushing, or playing dangerously.
· Stay within authorized school areas.
· Never leave the school premises without permission.
· Follow school transport and dismissal procedures.
· Never open school gates or allow unknown visitors to enter.
· Inform a teacher about broken equipment, unsafe areas, or suspicious activities.
· Participate responsibly in school safety drills and emergency procedures.
Students must never play with electrical equipment, fire alarms, chemicals, or emergency equipment.
. SCHOOL VISITORS AND STUDENT PICK-UP
Your safety is important when entering and leaving school.
· Visitors must register at the school entrance.
· Visitors must wear their authorized visitor passes.
· Students should not accompany unknown visitors.
· Students must leave school only through the approved dismissal arrangements.
· Students must not leave the school premises without permission.
· If an unknown person asks you to leave with them, immediately inform a teacher or security guard.
· Follow your parent’s approved pick-up arrangements.
Students should immediately inform school staff if they notice an unfamiliar person in an unauthorized area.
11. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU REPORT A PROBLEM?
When you report a safeguarding concern:
1. A responsible member of staff will listen to you carefully.
2. You will be treated with respect and kindness.
3. The concern will be taken seriously.
4. The school will record the information carefully and securely.
5. The Safeguarding Lead and Principal will ensure that appropriate action is taken.
6. The school will provide suitable support and protection.
7. If necessary, the matter will be referred to the relevant authorities in accordance with ADEK requirements and applicable UAE laws.
The school will respect your privacy. Information will only be shared with people who need to know to protect you and manage the concern.
Important: School staff cannot promise to keep a safeguarding concern completely secret if sharing the information is necessary to protect you or another student.
12. SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
Sometimes students experience difficulties that make them worried, unhappy, frightened, or stressed.
You may seek help if:
· You are having problems with friends.
· You are being bullied.
· You are experiencing family difficulties.
· You feel lonely, worried, or unhappy.
· You are struggling with your studies.
· You feel unsafe at school or outside school.
· You need support because of a learning difficulty or additional learning need.
Our Social Worker and relevant school staff are available to listen, guide, and support you. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
13. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS STUDENTS
Every student has a responsibility to help create a safe and friendly school. We promise to:
· Respect teachers, staff, classmates, and visitors.
· Speak politely and use kind language.
· Never bully, threaten, or hurt anyone.
· Respect differences and individual abilities.
· Protect other people’s privacy.
· Use technology responsibly.
· Follow school safety rules.
· Report unsafe behaviour.
· Help classmates who need support.
· Be honest when reporting a concern.
14. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
If you see a fire, accident, serious injury, dangerous object, or any immediate threat:
1. Inform the nearest teacher or school staff member immediately.
2. Follow emergency instructions.
3. Move to the designated safe area when instructed.
4. Do not panic or push others.
5. Do not return to the affected area until permission is given.
Never hide an accident or dangerous situation.
15. OUR STUDENT SAFEGUARDING PLEDGE
At Pakistani Islamic Private School, Al Ain, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, valued, respected, and protected.
As a member of our school community, I promise:
· I will respect everyone.
· I will not bully, hurt, threaten, or embarrass others.
· I will respect personal space and privacy.
· I will use the internet safely and responsibly.
· I will speak up if I see something wrong.
· I will ask for help whenever I feel unsafe.
· I will help make my school a happy and safe place for everyone.
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE OUR SCHOOL A SAFE, CARING, AND BULLY-FREE ENVIRONMENT.
16. IMPORTANT CONTACTS – REMEMBER WHO CAN HELP YOU
Principal: Mr. Zeeshan Shamsher
Social Worker / Safeguarding Lead: Ms. Saleha Qureshi
Discipline Head: Mr. Attia Imran
Safety In-Charge: Ms. Zahida Majeed
OHS Officer: Mr. Zeeshan Khalil
Anti-Bullying In-Charge: Ms. Kehkeshan Anwar
Remember: If you feel unsafe, speak up. We are here to listen, help, and protect you. PAKISTANI ISLAMIC PRIVATE SCHOOL L.L.C. – AL AIN, UAE
Approved by:
Mr. Zeeshan Shamsher Principal
Ms. Saleha Qureshi Social Worker / Safeguarding Lead
Policy Review: Annually and whenever required by ADEK or applicable UAE regulations.