On Monday morning, students at the Second of December Girls School began their new academic year with an unexpected first class led by Dubai Police.
Traffic flowed smoothly around Al Twar as parents dropped off their children or they arrived by school bus. By the time Brigadier Juma Salem bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, reached the school, students were already settled in their seats.
This visit coincides with the reopening of UAE schools after a two-month summer hiatus, marking the start of the 2025–26 academic year with significant updates. The new term features a unified school calendar, revamped Arabic and Islamic studies curricula, and the introduction of the UAE’s first AI syllabus. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, extended their best wishes for a successful academic year to families and students.
Brigadier Juma visited a Grade 2 classroom first, asking the children if they were excited for the new academic year. He discussed the daily duties of the police to ensure public safety and inquired about their aspirations to join the police force someday. The students listened eagerly, with several raising their hands enthusiastically.
He highlighted the importance of road safety and classroom rules, drawing a comparison by saying, “Following rules on the road is like adhering to school rules. Each of you can be a responsible citizen by obeying these guidelines.”
The enthusiasm of parents matched that of their children on the first day. “They’ve been up since dawn,” said Maryam Al Balushi, a parent who dropped off her three daughters, two in third grade and one in second grade.
The school buzzed with excitement as Principal Mona Mohammed Al Ghafri accompanied Brigadier Juma on a classroom tour. “The students are thrilled, and the teachers are even more eager to welcome them back and invigorate the school,” she commented. The school’s theme for this year is ‘Skills to the Forefront’. She added, “We aim to ensure that by year-end, students will have acquired vital skills.”
“Dubai Police are here for you,” Brigadier Juma said as he concluded his visit, distributing gift packs filled with school supplies and police-logo stickers as keepsakes. Speaking to Khaleej Times, he noted, “Visits like today help us connect with children, showing them that safety begins early and emphasizing that rule-following ensures everyone’s protection, both on roads and in schools.”
At Al Ittihad Private School in Al Mamzar, Dubai Police staged an impressive welcome with mounted patrols, luxury vehicles, K9 units, and police bikes, celebrating the students’ return.
The Dubai Police General Command has also launched the ‘Back-to-School’ initiative for 2025–26, deploying 750 officers and 250 patrols, including luxury, mounted, and motorcycle units, along with nine drones, to safeguard students throughout the emirate.
