Abu Dhabi has completed a broad round of on-site checks at more than 480 schools and nurseries across the emirate, carried out in coordination between three authorities: the Emergencies, Crises and Disasters Management Centre Abu Dhabi (ADCMC), the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA). The goal, according to the authorities, was to measure how ready each institution is to handle emergencies and to reinforce safety and prevention standards at ADEK-affiliated institutions. The review follows the return of students to in-person learning across the emirate.
Officials describe the exercise as one instalment in a continuous, intelligence-led monitoring programme, part of a wider effort to keep operational readiness high across the emirate's priority sectors.
الزيارات التفتيشية، التي نفَّذتها دائرة التعليم والمعرفة – أبوظبي وهيئة أبوظبي للدفاع المدني بالتعاون مع مركز إدارة الطوارئ والأزمات والكوارث لإمارة أبوظبي في أكثر من 480 مدرسة وحضانة في الإمارة، تتماشى مع النهج الاستباقي لتعزيز الجاهزية التشغيلية في القطاعات الحيوية في الإمارة. pic.twitter.com/wHRrwc90Rc
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) April 22, 2026
What the Inspections Covered
At each site, inspectors examined three areas:
Evacuation plans
Early warning systems
The readiness of response teams within schools and nurseries
Field exercises were also conducted to verify compliance with approved standards and to assess staff awareness of safety procedures. The authorities say the approach supports student safety and helps sustain a secure and sustainable educational environment capable of responding effectively to various emergency situations.
What Officials Said
His Excellency Mubarak Hamad Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of ADEK, said: "The safety of students and educational staff remains our top priority. In close coordination with relevant authorities, we are strengthening the readiness of schools and nurseries through clear protocols, ongoing inspections, and a proactive, approach. This ensures schools are fully prepared, response measures are in place, and parents can feel confident that the highest standards of safety and preparedness are consistently upheld."
His Excellency Brigadier Salem Abdullah Bin Barak Al Dhaheri, Director General of ADCDA, affirmed that the implementation of intensive field visits to educational facilities forms part of an integrated operational system aimed at transitioning preparedness from a theoretical framework to a measurable, practical level. This is achieved through the direct verification of system efficiency, the effectiveness of evacuation plans, and the readiness of response teams within schools and nurseries.
His Excellency explained that the Authority adopts a proactive approach based on continuous field monitoring and assessment, as well as the testing of realistic scenarios. This contributes to identifying operational gaps and addressing them promptly, while enhancing response efficiency within educational environments, thereby ensuring the highest levels of protection for students and educational staff.
He further noted that these efforts reflect the integration of roles with strategic partners within a unified institutional framework that strengthens overall readiness across the education sector and reinforces a culture of prevention as a shared responsibility. He emphasised that the preparedness of this vital sector represents a strategic priority to support the continuity of the educational process and enhance community safety.
His Excellency Matar Saeed Al Nuaimi, Director General of ADCMC, affirmed that the education sector is a central pillar of the comprehensive preparedness ecosystem. He emphasised the importance of continuous efforts to develop its capabilities and strengthen coordination with relevant authorities through regular field inspections, ensuring effective readiness to respond to diverse potential scenarios.
His Excellency said: "These field efforts reflect our commitment to strengthening an integrated preparedness ecosystem grounded in realistic assessment and continuous capability testing. In partnership with relevant entities, we are working to establish a safe educational environment capable of responding effectively to various emergencies. Prioritising preparedness in the education sector is a direct investment in public safety and the sustainability of development. We rely on coordinated roles and unified efforts to ensure the highest standards of protection and prevention."
An Integrated Framework
The inspection programme sits inside a wider operational framework led by ADCMC and its strategic partners, designed to move the education sector beyond pure compliance into territory where readiness is demonstrable and measurable. Rigorous field assessment and closer coordination among stakeholders are the central levers. The approach threads prevention and proactivity through the sector and is intended to support public safety, protect the continuity of education, and safeguard Abu Dhabi's development gains.
ADEK, ADCDA and ADCMC publish updates and guidance on their official channels, and families are encouraged to rely on those sources for the most current information.
