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gulfnews.com, Wednesday 2 Jun 2010


FNC Concerned About Rising School Violence


Hamad Harith Al Midfa, a member from Sharjah, suggested that CCTV camera security systems be installed in schools across the country to help monitor and prevent violence.

Abu Dhabi, Samir Salama:

Members of the Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday voiced concern over a rise in school violence and young children committing serious crimes.

They demanded the Ministry of Education be committed to not only developing educational excellence in the country, but also providing safe and productive school environment for all children and staff.

"As parents and educators we must ensure our children are aware that these problems exist and take the necessary steps to report any assaults," said Hamad Harith Al Midfa, a member from Sharjah.

He said a student was stabbed to death in Dubai and 200 students in Ajman got involved in fights with knives.

Al Midfa suggested that CCTV camera security systems be installed in schools across the country to help monitor and prevent violence.

He stressed the effects of child abuse had a profound impact on the victims' lives and on society as a whole.

"Many of the abused children become abusers themselves as grown-ups and many have serious psychological problems and addiction problems," he said.

He said one of the major challenges facing those working to combat child abuse in UAE society is the lack of understanding of the nature of child abuse, so we need to work on awareness and education to clear any misconception prevalent in society,"

Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami, Minister of Education, said the ministry was committed to combating violence and crimes inside schools.

The ministry, he said, focuses on raising awareness of student violence and crimes and ways to tackle these issues as well as educate children and their guardians on the importance of a positive family environment and the possible effects on a child from a dysfunctional environment.

The ministry looks to provide school counseling as well as outside help regarding issues of bullying, and other kinds of student violence.

Al Qutami said the ministry plans to fix CCTV camera security systems in schools across the country, but did not give a time frame.

Dr Nidal Al Tunaiji, a member from Ras Al Khaimah, quizzed Al Qutami on policies that give children with learning difficulties or special needs the right to a place in mainstream education.

Dr Nidal said the inclusion of children with learning difficulties and special needs in mainstream schooling came with many problems.

"It is not just engineering of ramps for wheelchairs, entrance and seating alterations, or the extra services needed for the children with special needs, it is also the adjustments to curriculum that need to take place to accommodate and address the needs of children with special needs and training of teachers.

The minister said the policy of inclusion grew out of a wish to prevent special needs children from being alienated or receiving a very different kind of education to mainstream pupils.

"Law 29 will initiate a successful national inclusion program can in the UAE as initiatives will be implemented in 110 schools within three years."
 

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