Sharjah Police Launch 2025 Back-to-School Safety Campaign

As students across Sharjah prepare to start the 2025–26 academic year, Sharjah Police have unveiled an ambitious safety and traffic management initiative designed to transform how school safety is implemented in the emirate. Under the banner of the “Our First Lesson is Safety” campaign, authorities are focusing on advanced technology, heightened police presence, and inclusive community engagement to ensure that every child arrives at school safely and securely.

Advanced Technology Drives School Safety

Central to Sharjah Police’s renewed effort is the deployment of a state-of-the-art mobile operations room. This mobile command center is equipped with live streaming capabilities that broadcast road conditions near school zones during peak hours. Its innovative real-time monitoring empowers officers to react instantly to congestion, accidents, or emergencies, making the roads safer for all students and families.

In addition, the integration with the Ma’man platform—developed in cooperation with the Sharjah Private Education Authority—marks a technological leap in student protection. Ma’man handles all student emergency calls and features robust tracking for school bus routes, from the moment a child is picked up to their safe return home. Parents are reassured knowing their children are monitored and protected by a seamless digital safety net throughout their journey.

Unprecedented On-Ground Police Presence

Sharjah Police are dramatically increasing their on-ground presence around educational institutions this year. A record 98 traffic patrols are being stationed across the emirate, divided among Sharjah City, the Eastern Region, and the Central Region. This resource allocation targets the most congested school zones and intersections, creating safer passageways for students as they enter and leave school grounds.

Lieutenant Colonel Omar Al Aqroubi, Deputy Director of Traffic and Patrols, reiterates the importance of strict adherence to all safety protocols for school bus drivers. Mandatory post-trip inspections have become a non-negotiable standard, ensuring no child is left unattended on school buses at any time. This emphasis on accountability is essential in preventing tragic incidents and maintaining public trust.

Community Engagement and Public Awareness

Effective safety campaigns involve more than enforcement; they require broad-based education and engagement. Sharjah Police have partnered with their Security Media unit to deliver impactful messaging tailored for every age group. Traditional and digital platforms, videos, interactive ads, and campaigns for parents and students alike, reinforce safe habits in and around school properties.

Major Hussain Al Baloushi, Head of Community Patrols, leads teams that visit schools in person, working directly with students, teachers, and support staff to foster a safety-first culture. These interactions encourage the reporting of unsafe behavior while empowering everyone to play a role in securing their own environments.

Improving Physical Infrastructure for Safer Commutes

Sharjah’s proactive approach is evident in its careful review and continual enhancement of school zone infrastructure. Police and municipal authorities are collaborating to install new crosswalks, update signage, and add speed bumps near educational institutions as needed. The improved visibility and clear demarcation of safety features act as effective deterrents to reckless driving and facilitate safer crossings for students.

Crossing guards and traffic assistants have been deployed at critical spots, overseeing student movement during the busiest periods of the school day. These efforts are complemented by ongoing feedback from families and school staff, allowing authorities to make data-driven adjustments to patrol routes and safety communications.

Strengthening UAE Child Protection Laws

Sharjah’s school safety initiative is a vital part of the broader UAE commitment to child protection. Actions align with federal policies promoting children’s rights, anti-bullying, and the elimination of abuse in educational settings. Hotlines and online platforms are available for the convenient reporting of incidents and concerns, fostering a culture of transparency and swift action.

Sharjah Police encourage the public to make use of government resources, such as the Ministry of Education hotline and digital portals, to stay informed and actively engaged in community-wide child safety efforts. By working together, residents, educators, and law enforcement help build safer, nurturing environments for every student.

Data, Analytics, and Continuous Improvement

The deployment of mobile operations rooms and the widespread adoption of the Ma’man platform enable Sharjah Police to apply real-time analytics to traffic management and risk assessment. Data collected on congestion, incident response times, and student travel patterns provide invaluable insight, allowing for the swift identification and resolution of safety challenges.

Continuous feedback loops—open to input from parents, bus drivers, school staff, and students—ensure that the campaign evolves to address emerging risks and community needs. It is this openness to adaptation and improvement that sets the current initiative apart as one of the most comprehensive in the region.

Promotion of a Lasting Safety Culture

Safety is not just a procedural requirement; it is a collective value to be instilled in every member of the community. Workshops, engagements, and awareness drives are designed to promote good habits—from traffic etiquette and safe crossing to the critical role of teamwork in safeguarding one another. Sharjah’s holistic approach aims to nurture resilient, responsible citizens with lifelong commitment to safety.

Parents are encouraged to participate by reviewing traffic rules with their children, teachers are empowered to deliver safety-focused lessons, and students themselves are reminded of their individual responsibility and capacity to make sound choices.

Sharjah Police’s Call for Community Cooperation

The “Our First Lesson is Safety” campaign reflects Sharjah’s elevated vision for secure, effective education in the UAE. By combining technology, heightened enforcement, community action, and an unwavering commitment to child protection, Sharjah Police set new standards for how school safety is planned and delivered. Community members—parents, teachers, students, and neighbors—are invited to unite in this collective effort, ensuring every school day begins and ends with safety, vigilance, and peace of mind.