Teachers still beat kids in UAE schools -

DUBAI - Teachers are still beating children in the United Arab Emirates despite a ban on corporal punishment, local daily The National reported on Sunday citing research by the Dubai School of Government.

The survey of public high school pupils found 45 percent of boys and almost 25 percent of girls reported being hit by their teacher, according to the newspaper.

The male pupils said this form of punishment was normal, while the females mostly said it had happened when they were at primary school, The National reported.

Physical punishment has been banned in state schools in the UAE since 1998, according to the newspaper.

Education authorities stressed the welfare of students was of the upmost importance and schools were obliged to provide them with a safe learning environment in to response to the study’s findings, The National reported.

"The expectation of schools is that all students are treated in a respectful manner where each student knows they are trusted, respected and safe,” the Abu Dhabi Education Council was quoted as saying in a statement.