Teacher in Abu Dhabi Fired and Sentenced to Prison for Assaulting Students

A teacher in Abu Dhabi was fired and sentenced to prison for assaulting students.
A teacher in Abu Dhabi was sentenced to two years in prison and deportation from the UAE for assaulting four students in the classroom. CCTV footage showed the teacher hitting the students. In court, he claimed that his intention was to stop the class's disorder, but this explanation did not prevent the issuance of the verdict.
This case has once again raised the issue of corporal punishment in UAE schools and parents' rights in such incidents.
Is corporal punishment a crime in UAE schools?
Yes. According to Article 390 of the Federal Penal Code of the UAE, causing physical harm to others, regardless of the severity of the harm or whether it was intentional, can be considered a crime.
The Abu Dhabi teacher was also convicted under Article 394 of this law; an article that prescribes up to two years in prison for harm resulting from individuals' negligence in fulfilling their professional responsibilities.
Can parents file a complaint against the school?
Yes. Schools are responsible for ensuring the safety of students according to UAE laws and have legal responsibility for any harm caused by their staff.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) can impose fines of up to one million dirhams for school violations, suspend their activities, or even permanently revoke their operating licenses.
What do Abu Dhabi school regulations say?
According to ADEK's Student Behavior Guidelines, any use of physical force to cause pain or physical discomfort, even to a minor degree, is prohibited.
Verbal abuse, humiliating a student in public, locking them in school, preventing access to restrooms, and depriving them of food and water are also prohibited.
Disciplinary decisions must be made through the school's behavior management committee, and teachers are not allowed to punish students arbitrarily. Schools are also required to report such incidents to ADEK.
The use of physical force is only permitted in emergencies and to prevent a student from harming themselves or others.
It is also recommended to obtain a medical report from a public hospital at the earliest opportunity and to read any commitment or agreement text carefully before signing it on behalf of the school.
Source: Gulf Times