Abu Dhabi, late September 2025 — Abu Dhabi has rolled out a new Code of Professional Ethics for teachers operating in private and partnership schools under ADEK (Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge). The policy sets clear behavioural standards aiming to reinforce trust across the education sector and protect students, educators, and the broader community. Failure to adhere may bring legal or administrative penalties.

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What the Code Says & What’s Off-Limits

Under the new ethics policy, there are six behavioural standards that teachers must follow, and around 22-25 “prohibited behaviours” that cross the line. Here are some major points:

Standards include:

• Respecting the UAE’s national identity & cultural values
• Maintaining appropriate relations with colleagues.
• Fulfilling legal obligations (including abiding by UAE laws, reporting violations).
• Responsible digital conduct.
• Protecting the school community (safety, fairness, no abuse).
• Engagement with parents, community, maintaining professionalism outside the classroom too.

Some of the behaviour that’s now banned:

• Discrimination or harassment toward anyone in the school community based on religion, ethnicity, social status, age, or gender. Also includes discrimination against pregnant or recently postpartum female employees.
• Promoting extremism, racism, bullying, ideological or political indoctrination.
• Wearing clothes considered culturally inappropriate or immodest, violating dress codes.
• Harassing colleagues (verbally or physically), spreading rumors, excluding staff from professional duties, or disclosing their confidential information.
• Misrepresenting qualifications or experience (e.g. exaggeration, plagiarism).
• Using digital tools irresponsibly — e.g. sharing identifiable student info, misusing school devices.

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Why This Matters

This isn’t just bureaucratic polish — there are several reasons this matters:

1. Trust & Professionalism
   By defining what’s unacceptable clearly, ADEK is trying to raise and standardize what “professional teacher behaviour” means across schools in Abu Dhabi. Students, parents, and colleagues all get a clearer idea of what to expect.
2. Safety & Welfare
   The code aims to prevent abuse, harassment, or even unintentional harm (through misuse of student info, etc.). It strengthens protective mechanisms around students and staff.
3. Legal Accountability
   Non-compliance can lead to legal/administrative penalties. Schools must implement the code; teachers must sign it. It’s backed by regulatory weight.
4. Cultural Sensitivity & National Values
   The policy reinforces respect for Emirati culture, national identity and norms around conduct and dress. Schools and teachers whose behaviour conflicts with these norms now face formal constraints.
5. Digital & Global Relevance
   With increasing online/digital interaction, and concerns around misuse of technology (e.g. social media, AI, data privacy), these rules attempt to bring educators into alignment with global best practices.

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Potential Challenges Ahead

Of course, laying down rules is easier than enforcing them. Some possible bumps:

• Schools may interpret “cultural inappropriateness” or “immodest attire” differently; defining that clearly will be important.
• Bringing everyone (teachers from different backgrounds/nationalities) to adhere equally might need training and awareness.
• Enforcement must be consistent, or else it could feel arbitrary.
• Balancing between maintaining professional standards and stifling teacher autonomy or cultural diversity.