Licence mandatory for KG, training centre staff in UAE

Moza Salem Al Shoomi, Director of Child Department- Ministry of Social Affairs.Supplied photot

All staff in kindergartens, swimming pools and training centres shall be bound, as of mid next year, to obtain a special licence, a move aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse. The much-needed move is part of the Child Law proposed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and referred by the Federal National Council to the UAE Cabinet for final approval.
All staff will have to clear a psychological test and submit a good conduct certificate to ensure they do not have any criminal records.
The same has been affirmed in article 54 of the proposed law which bans all those convicted in anti-child sexual and porno crimes from practicing any job related to kids or having direct contact with them, even if later honoured by court.
Moza Salem Al Shoomi, Director of Child Department-Ministry of Social Affairs, said the ministry shall adopt new conditions and precautionary measures to protect young children wherever they are.
"All staff dealing with children in kindergartens, swimming pools, as well as in sports, music and computer training centres and the like need to obtain a board accreditation to be eligible to undertake such sensitive jobs."
The new licence, similar to that required for medics, nurses and lawyers, will come into effect in two phases, she added. "The first, which will span all kindergartens, will come into force mid next year, while the second - which will cover all mentors and trainers in training centres - will be applicable by the beginning of 2017."
Al Shoomi stated that there are two critical conditions applicants need to meet to be accredited to work with children. "They have to clear a psychological test and submit a good conduct certificate duly attested by the bodies concerned - both locally and their country of origin - to ensure that they do not have criminal records anywhere."
"The board licence shall only be valid for three years," she pointed out. "It shall only be renewed after the applicant passes the set psychological test and proves to be criminally clear as per a certificate of good conduct."
The Ministry of Social Affairs shall be in constant coordination with the Ministry of Labour, and the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs on the same, she underlined.
Another clause of the law states that should anyone get convicted of child abuse, he or she shall be forced to remain at least 5,000 metres away from the child's accommodation to avoid any possible harm, she said. "This particular article is meant to protect the child against any psychological setback if he or she happens to meet the assaulter by chance."
Paying tribute to the proposed law, Fawqiya Burham, manager of the Flowers Nursery, said it is high time such a law came into effect. "This will help protect kids."
Azza Al Tawaf, manager of Buds Nursery, said the main problem behind child abuse in kindergartens, swimming pools and training centres is the recruitment of unqualified staff. "This mandatory board licence will help bridge this critical gap."
Wafaa Saqr, a teacher, said she has made sure that all staff in the nursery of her three-year-old daughter are qualified. "The repetitive child abuses reported were mainly blamed on trusted people who were close to kids."
Omar Saad, father of two sons, said several centres here recruited unqualified staff. "There should be an extensive report on the social and psychological condition of each and every staff member."
Ahmed Abdulqader, a social worker and father of two, said hundreds of so-called childcare centres are unlicensed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. "The new law will put an end to these potential hazards."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com