As students across Sharjah head back to classrooms for the 2026–2027 academic year, the Child Safety Organisation has urged families and schools to collaborate on six essential pillars designed to protect and support children. These focus areas include ensuring safe transport between home and school, maintaining health readiness, promoting respectful behavior, fostering open family dialogue, encouraging consistent communication between parents and educators, and supervising digital activity.
Hanadi Saleh Al Yafei, Director General of the Child Safety Organisation, emphasized that a successful school year relies on a unified network of trust. According to Al Yafei, children thrive when they are supported by a family that listens, a school environment that embraces them, and a digital space managed with knowledge and responsibility. She noted that when these conditions are met, students feel empowered to voice their needs and view self-respect and respect for others as fundamental parts of their daily lives.
The organization highlighted that the transition back to school is a significant life event that begins the moment a child steps into a vehicle. Beyond physical safety during the commute, children require emotional and social support to re-establish routines. Al Yafei added that consistent messaging across home, school, and digital environments helps children make informed choices, ultimately leading to a more stable and positive educational experience.
Health and physical wellbeing are central to this transition, as they directly influence a student’s ability to concentrate and regulate emotions. To support this, the organization cited established health guidelines: children aged 6 to 12 require 9 to 12 hours of sleep, while adolescents aged 13 to 18 need between 8 and 10 hours. Furthermore, the World Health Organisation recommends that children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Maintaining these habits, alongside balanced nutrition and hydration, is vital for managing the demands of the school day.
Digital safety remains a critical component of the organization’s guidance, as technology is now deeply embedded in both social and educational spheres. Families are encouraged to establish clear agreements regarding device usage and privacy, which helps children navigate online content with greater awareness. By maintaining open communication, parents can ensure that children feel comfortable seeking help if they encounter concerning experiences online, allowing for a balance between protection and the development of digital responsibility.
Finally, the organization addressed the prevention of school bullying, stating that it begins with fostering a culture of respect and the acceptance of differences. Schools are encouraged to create environments where every student feels valued and included. By promoting positive behavior and encouraging students to support their peers and seek assistance when necessary, the community can build a more cohesive and cooperative learning atmosphere.