Safeguarding international schools in Jordan: country guide

Private and international schools in Jordan work under the Ministry of Education. The Directorate of Private Education licenses schools and approves courses in Amman and across the Kingdom.

Schools also follow child advice from the National Council for Family Affairs. Many schools teach British, American or IB courses. Many hold approval from CIS, NEASC or BSO.

Read how ITFCP child protection standards fit with host country rules. Every international school in Jordan must follow Jordanian child law.

Foreign course status does not replace local child duties. Schools must protect every child on campus under national law.

Child Rights Law No. 17 of 2022 sets clear child rights in Jordan. Article 28 makes reporting mandatory for teachers, doctors and school leaders.

Staff who suspect physical harm, sexual abuse, bad neglect or family violence must act fast. Staff cannot resolve child abuse claims through quiet talks in school.

Reports must go straight to the Family Protection Department. This police team checks child abuse and family safety cases across Jordan.

The designated lead coordinates school notes and official reports. Compare these rules with mandatory reporting laws for international schools.

If a child is in danger now, dial 911 right away. Then tell your Designated Safeguarding Lead and Head of School on the same day.

When a worry does not need armed police help, call the family protection desk. Write down what was seen, who spoke and what steps took place.

• 911: unified national line for police, fire and ambulance rescue.
• 110: Family Protection Department free call center for family safety.
• Ministry of Education: national school licensing and inspection office.
• National Council for Family Affairs: national team guiding child policy.

Safe hiring rules keep children safe from harm. Local staff in Jordan must show a non-conviction certificate from the Ministry of Justice.

This paper is called a Shahadat Adam Mahkoumiyeh. It proves that a job applicant has no active criminal record or court ban from teaching.

For teachers hired from abroad, schools must get police checks from their home nation. Schools must also check past work references by phone or video call.

Human resources teams must verify the official stamp and electronic validation number on the non-conviction certificate. Jordanian justice centers issue these documents through the Ministry of Justice online portal.

Keep all check dates, ID copies and reference notes in one place. Review our checklist on Single Central Record management to stay ready for inspection.

Personal Data Protection Law No. 24 of 2023 sets privacy rules in Jordan. Child protection notes and welfare logs contain private personal details.

Schools must keep child safety files separate from general school work files. Digital safeguarding systems must use strict role rules to lock down access.

Class teachers and office clerks should not see secret child files. Only the DSL and Head of School should read these chronologies.

Parent permission is not needed when sharing facts with child police to stop harm. Review our guide on how to record safeguarding concerns for practical rules.

When a pupil tells you about harm or fear, listen with care and stay calm. Staff must never promise to keep a secret for the child.

Explain gently that you must tell the DSL to keep the child safe. Write down the child's exact words as soon as the talk ends.

Do not ask leading questions or try to check the facts on your own. Hand your written note to your lead before leaving school today.

If an allegation points to family members at home, speak to the police desk first. This step stops the child from facing greater danger at home.

• Stay calm: Listen without showing shock, anger or fear.
• Do not promise secrets: Explain who you must tell to keep the child safe.
• Write exact words: Record what the child said without guessing.
• Notify the DSL: Hand the written report to the lead the same day.

All teachers, aides and office clerks must complete child protection training each year. Training must cover recognizing signs of physical harm, neglect and online risks.

Bus drivers, security guards, sports coaches and cafeteria personnel must also complete annual training. Support staff often see student interactions outside the classroom.

Staff must also understand peer-on-peer abuse, cyberbullying and reporting lines. Review our guide on safeguarding training levels to plan school induction.