UAE public school regulator issues clarification over viral video

An investigation has been launched after a video of a public school celebration of the UAE National Day was circulated "with a negative context".

In a series of tweets, the Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE) said filming school students without their permission is illegal in the country.

The video showed some students holding the flag of "another country" during the UAE celebrations, which was alleged to be disrespectful. 

The authority clarified that the aim of the ceremony was to "honour and congratulate the UAE from all countries and in various languages and cultures.

"We affirm that all public schools celebrate the National Day with a high sense of responsibility and patriotic awareness," the ESE added.

تنوه مؤسسة الإمارات للتعليم المدرسي على ما تم تداوله من لقطات نشرها أحد أولياء الأمور يظهر خلالها علم إحدى الدول الأجنبية في احتفالات إحدى المدارس الحكومية بالعيد الوطني للدولة وكان الهدف من الفقرة هو تكريم وتهنئة دولة الإمارات من جميع الدول وبمختلف اللغات والثقافات. pic.twitter.com/KneOcg1QHd

— مؤسسة الإمارات للتعليم المدرسي (@ese_ae) December 1, 2022