ADEK Mandatory Required Training Emergency Protocol

Return to School
Emergency Protocol Training

ADEK Safe Education Protocol — mandatory training for all staff as a condition of school reopening. Complete all modules and the physical drill acknowledgment.

Presenters: click here to start the full-screen slide deck  ·  Arabic speakers: click the green button to translate this page

~90 min (60 min session + 30 min drill) 10 Modules + Knowledge Checks All Teaching Staff

Your Progress

0 / 9 completed
1

Context: Why We Are Here

5 min — Understanding the directive and what it means for AISA

ADEK has directed all schools to resume face-to-face learning on Monday, April 20. As a condition of reopening, all teaching staff currently in the country must complete this emergency protocol training. ADEK will conduct a validation visit to verify readiness and issue approval.

Mandatory Training

Attendance is documented and submitted to ADEK

Validation Visit

ADEK visit window: Friday 8AM — Sunday 5PM

Physical Drill

A shelter-in-place drill follows this session

Key points: Bus services remain suspended (MOE directive). Parents are arranging private transport. Remote learning will be provided for students unable to attend — no hybrid classes. Parents must sign an undertaking to return students to in-person education.

2

ADEK Safety Protocol: 12 Core Principles

10 min — The foundational rules that guide every decision

1

Safety of students and staff is the highest priority

2

Stay inside protected buildings and facilities

3

Avoid windows, glass, and exposed areas

4

Move to internal and safe areas if needed

5

Immediate adherence to official instructions

6

Prevent crowding or uncontrolled movement

7

Reassure students; avoid panic or fear during alerts

8

No photos, publishing, or sharing unofficial info

9

Suspend movement, learning, dismissal during alerts

10

All external activities must be stopped

11

All staff must be trained on these procedures

12

Maintain readiness to suspend in-person learning

3

Operational Risk Levels

5 min — Green, Yellow, Red explained

GREEN

Low Risk / Stable

No alert messages. Normal operations. Classes held indoors. Readiness is enhanced. Morning assembly and outdoor activities are suspended.

YELLOW

Medium Risk

Classes continue during alerts with preventive measures. Stop movement and shelter immediately. Apply preventive actions.

RED

Direct Danger

Immediate shift to remote learning. Do not resume in-person education until official approval. Authorities determine levels based on location.

Key point: Even GREEN is not business as usual. No outdoor activities, no assemblies, indoor only. Authorities determine risk levels based on location and proximity to critical infrastructure.
4

Stage Protocols: Arrival Through Dismissal

10 min — Four stages of the school day covered

1 Before Arrival

No alert: Student leaves normally. No morning assembly.
Alert before leaving: Stay home in a safe internal place, away from windows.
Alert en route: Follow official message. Do not drop off in exposed areas.

2 Arrival & Handover

No alert: Enter building directly. No assembly. No gathering at gates.
Alert in place: Parent and student enter building immediately. Do not wait outside.

3 Inside School

No alert: Classes indoors. No assembly. Break time inside classrooms.
Alert: Stop all activities. Stay in safe area. Students sit low, calm, away from windows. Staff outside go to nearest internal facility.

4 Dismissal & Return

No alert: Orderly, staggered dismissal.
Alert before leaving: Suspend dismissal. Do not evacuate.
Alert during handover: Move to safe place.
Alert cleared: Resume staggered dismissal. No crowds at gates.
5

Your Role and Responsibilities

10 min — What every teacher must be able to do

DO This

  • Know your safe zone and route to reach it
  • Guide students calmly and quickly to the safe zone
  • Take headcount immediately — report missing students
  • Keep students calm: steady voice, honest reassurance
  • Watch for distress signs — refer to counselor
  • Stay in safe zone until official all-clear

Do NOT

  • Do NOT evacuate the building
  • Do NOT allow students near windows or glass
  • Do NOT take photographs or video
  • Do NOT share anything on social media
  • Do NOT contact parents individually
  • Do NOT release students during an alert
Critical distinction: This is SHELTER IN PLACE, not evacuate. Fire = move OUT. This protocol = move INWARD to interior spaces away from windows. Make sure you understand the difference.
6

Safe Zones: Know Your Location

5 min — What makes a safe zone and what to expect

A designated interior space providing temporary protection during emergencies, away from external facades and windows.

Safe Area signage — Be Responsible, Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Kind

Indoor Location

Away from external facades and windows

Structural Strength

Reduces impact and blast waves

Hazard-Free & Spacious

Fits all occupants safely

1-Min Access

Reachable within 60 seconds max

Clearly Marked

Identification signs visible and posted

Linked to Plan

Part of AISA's emergency protocol

Action required: Your division leader will confirm your specific safe zone after this session. During the drill, you will physically walk the route and confirm the 1-minute access time. In the first week, walk your students through the safe zone route.
7

Student Wellbeing During Emergencies

10 min — Emotional support strategies from ADEK

1

Regulate Yourself First

Take slow, deep breaths. Keep your voice steady and calm. Avoid panic. Students read adult body language instantly.

2

Gather and Reassure

Move students away from windows. Keep the group close to you and to each other. Use a smile.

3

Use Honest Words

"We are safe here together." "That was loud, but we are safe." Normalize: "It's okay to feel scared or surprised." Keep them engaged with drawing, storytelling.

Signs needing counselor referral: excessive fear/crying, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, physical complaints (headache, nausea). Counselors should be prepared for increased referrals in the first week.
8

Remote Learning Model & Monday Logistics

5 min — Hybrid rules and DL student support

ADEK Rule: Face-to-face and distance learning students must NOT be combined with the same teacher at the same time.

DL Student Options

Option 1: Dedicated synchronous sessions scheduled separately.

Option 2: Exclusive asynchronous work — no live sessions required.

Option 3: Alternative model proposed to ADEK for approval.

Mandatory Check-ins

Minimum 15-minute group check-in with ALL distance learning students daily.

Elementary: Learning Support Team conducts check-ins (consider time zones).

Secondary: Counselors conduct check-ins (consider time zones).

The school will confirm the model and share details before Monday. ADEK PASS substitute pool available at pass@adek.gov.ae for staffing challenges.

9

Physical Drill & Acknowledgment

30 min — The hands-on drill that follows this session

1

Division leaders assign safe zones

You will be told your specific safe zone and shown it on the building map.

2

Walk the route

Physically walk from your classroom to your safe zone. Time it. Must be under 60 seconds.

3

PA system test

PA will be activated. Confirm you can hear it from your location.

4

Simulated shelter-in-place

Announcement made. Move to safe zone as if real. Sit low, away from windows.

5

Headcount and report

Use the red/green card system. Send "all clear", "missing ______", or "I have ____ in my class" in the Alert Attendance group.

6

All-clear and debrief

All-clear announced. Regroup. Discuss what worked and what needs adjustment.

Treat this drill as real. ADEK validation visit may happen today. Attendance records and signed acknowledgments will be submitted to ADEK as part of the reopening validation.
10

Parent Acknowledgment

5 min — ADEK-required parent/guardian undertaking for return to in-person learning

ADEK requires that all parents or guardians sign an acknowledgment form confirming their child's return to in-person education.

This is a regulatory requirement, not an AISA policy, and applies to all private schools in Abu Dhabi. Your children cannot attend in-person learning unless they complete this form.

Students will turn in a physical paper to the front gate upon arrival.

We will have blank copies available for parents to fill out, if needed.

Parent Acknowledgment — ADEK requirement for return to in-person education
Staff action: Remind families of this requirement. Front gate staff will collect signed forms. Keep blank copies on hand for parents who arrive without one.

Knowledge Check

Verify your understanding of the critical protocol elements

1. During an alert, should you evacuate students from the building?

2. During an alert, can you contact parents to let them know their child is safe?

3. In GREEN operational level, which of the following is TRUE?

ADEK Reference Documents

Official documents provided by ADEK for this protocol

ADEK Circular — Gradual Resumption

PE/K12E2026/022 — Official directive for school reopening

Safe Education Protocol — Full Training

Operational protocol for protecting students and continuity of in-person education

Inspection Checklist

11-point compliance checklist for ADEK validation visit

Parent/Guardian Undertaking

Declaration form for parents to consent to return to in-person learning

Education Entity Undertaking

School declaration of compliance signed by principal

AISA Emergency Training Presentation

Full training slide deck with speaker notes

Training Acknowledgment Form

Complete this form to confirm your attendance and understanding of the emergency protocol

Scan to open on your phone

QR Code — Training Acknowledgment Form

Or open the form directly in a new tab:

Open Acknowledgment Form
Core Roles — Quick Reference

Incident Lead

Andrew Torris

Backup: Kevin Fosburgh

Communication Lead

Engy

Student Wellbeing Lead

Lisa Jones

Health & Safety / Operations

Adarsh

ES Division Leads

KG: Stephanie Brown | Lower ES: Kevin Fosburgh | Upper ES: Alia Nejdawi

Secondary Division Leads

MS: Savvas Largatzis | HS: Cristina Martin

Got questions?

Ask our AI assistant anything about the ADEK return-to-school policy!