The Shura Council yesterday unanimously rejected proposed amendments to the Child Law aimed at tightening oversight of nurseries, after legislators concluded that a newly enacted legislation had already introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for early childhood education institutions.
The proposal sought to amend Article 63 of the Child Law by introducing clearer definitions of offences and penalties related to operating nurseries without authorisation. The bill also proposed criminalising the establishment, operation, relocation or modification of nurseries without obtaining prior approval or licensing from the relevant authority, in addition to updating legal terminology in the law to replace outdated references relating to people with disabilities with more rights-based language.
Schools Affairs director-general Suha Hamada yesterday said the amendments had originally been designed to address regulatory gaps but had effectively become unnecessary following recent legislative developments.
“The proposed amendment was indeed needed at one point to strengthen oversight of nurseries and clarify violations and penalties,” she explained. “However, the recent issuance of the Private Educational Institutions Law has now created a comprehensive framework governing licensing, supervision and enforcement mechanisms for early childhood education institutions, which makes the proposed changes redundant.”
The council’s woman and child committee chairwoman Ejlal Bubshait noted that the new legislation had significantly changed the legal landscape governing the sector. Under the new law, early childhood institutions such as nurseries and kindergartens are formally classified as private educational institutions and placed under a unified regulatory framework.
“This law has effectively addressed the issues that the proposed amendment sought to regulate,” she added.
Committee rapporteur Hala Fayez said introducing additional amendments to the Child Law could create unnecessary legislative duplication.
“The committee believes that the objectives of the proposal have already been achieved through the new law regulating private educational institutions,” she added.
Education Minister Dr Mohammed Mubarak Juma also emphasised the importance of the new legislative framework during discussions with the committee, as reported in the GDN.
“The Private Educational Institutions Law establishes a comprehensive regulatory system that covers all forms of private education, including early childhood institutions such as nurseries and kindergartens,” he said. “It provides clear licensing requirements, regulatory procedures and penalties for violations, ensuring stronger governance and improved quality standards across the sector.”
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