Mobile phones banned in schools across UAE: All you need to know

Schools should confiscate phones

The Ministry also issued regulations for schools for inspection and confiscation of phones found in students’ possession.

“Schools are required to carry out regular inspection campaigns to detect mobile phones. These inspections must comply with regulations and respect students’ privacy. Inspectors are prohibited from physically touching students; searches are limited to their bags and personal belongings, with students themselves required to display their items before the inspection committee to ensure transparency and respect for rights,” the circular for schools said.

Parents to be notified

According to the Ministry, any phone found in a student’s possession on school grounds will be confiscated, and their parents will be notified of the violation. Parents must also sign the official forms acknowledging the confiscation and return of the phone.

In case of the first offence by a student, the phone will be confiscated for a period of one month, and in case of repetition, the phone will be withheld until the end of the academic year.

Schools are required to carry out regular inspection campaigns to detect mobile phones. (Photo: Pexels)

Schools should create awareness

As part of the measures, schools have been directed to intensify awareness programmes for students and parents, especially those concerning confiscation periods and disciplinary procedures.

It also warned schools that failure to comply with these instructions constitutes an administrative violation that may subject them to accountability.

Private schools also ban mobile phones

While the Ministry of Education’s directive is for public schools, some private schools in the UAE have also announced a similar ban on mobile phones for students.

Dubai-based Emirates International School (EIS) issued a ban on the use of mobile phones in classrooms from this academic year.

“Students will have to hand over their phones to the management or not bring them to school. This (use of mobile phones) will not be allowed at all until they finish their classes, then get them back,” Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the owner of EIS, said.

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