UAE School Safety Survey: Bullying at Schools Remains a Top Concern for Parents

Dubai, UAE, October 23, 2016:  Axis Communications recently conducted its biennial UAE School Safety Survey amongst parents.  According to the survey 92% are satisfied with the current security measures in schools, however 75% of the respondents would like to see more investments in safety & security measures such as surveillance, access controls, advanced fire detection systems and security guards.  

52% parents cited Bullying as their top concern which has continued to be a serious problem and created many unfortunate circumstances amongst school going children. 42% respondents cited playground risks as their second concern followed by external and internal violence at 37% each. 

Marwan Khoury, regional marketing manager for Axis Communications said, “Axis has been working with the education sector here in the UAE as well as around the world and we continue to work towards the safety of the children as well as the school staff.  Our learnings enable us to constantly keep the school staff updated on the latest technologies for the institution as well as its application to safe guard children. Our objective is to provide an additional level of peace of mind to parents.”.

Axis Communications had first conducted the survey in 2014, in which 92% of responding parents had backed implementing video surveillance as a means to keep children safe. Since then, there is a 5% increase in the number, with 97% parents backing video surveillance at key points to keep an eye on children as well as to speed up response time in case of emergencies. 82% of respondents were aware of the presence of security guards and 58% experienced entry control access in and out of the school premises. 42% of those questioned had personally noticed surveillance cameras being used at their child's school.

90% of the respondents strongly feel the implementation of video surveillance will make them feel secure about their children at school and 75% believe that surveillance cameras managed by the school do not infringe privacy.

Of the respondents, over 85% have children aged 3 – 15 in schools and over 50% have lived in the UAE for more than 8 years.