Strict smartphone ban implemented in these UAE schools

Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s public and private schools that follow the Ministry of Education curriculum have begun implementing a ministerial decision prohibiting students and parents from bringing mobile phones onto school campus.

A senior official from the Ministry of Education told Gulf News that the ministry recently issued a circular announcing the enforcement of the “Student Behaviour Code”, which bans the use of mobile phones within schools.

The regulation mandates the immediate confiscation of any phone found with a student and also prohibits parents from bringing mobile phones onto school campus.

The official explained that public schools and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum are required to implement the ministerial decision, whereas private schools and community schools that do not follow the ministry’s curriculum, have the discretion to decide whether to enforce the policy.

The circular states that the decision aims to strengthen the partnership between schools, parents, and students to ensure their safety and privacy. It is also based on Ministerial Decision No. 851 of 2018, specifically Article 17, Clause 13, which prohibits students and parents from bringing mobile phones onto school campus. The objective is to prevent potential harm, promote positive student behaviour, and enhance overall well-being.

Ensuring compliance

The official told Gulf News that schools will conduct routine inspections to ensure compliance with the decision. However, these inspections will be carried out in a manner that respects students’ privacy and adheres to school regulations.

The inspections will be conducted without violating students’ personal privacy or UAE laws, which prohibit any physical contact with students.

The searches will be limited to students’ bags and personal belongings to maintain transparency and respect for their rights. Schools will also implement a self-inspection policy, where students will be asked to empty their pockets or bags in front of an inspection committee, without the committee physically touching their belongings.

Penalty for violations

The official further explained that the ministry’s circular instructs school administrations to confiscate any mobile phone found in a student’s possession and inform their parents of the violation. For a first-time offence, the phone will be confiscated for a full month. If the violation is repeated, the phone will be held until the end of the academic year.

If any photos of teachers, students, or staff are found on a confiscated phone, the student will be referred to the “Child Rights Unit” for appropriate action.

Student Behaviour Code

Failure to implement this directive or enforce the “Student Behaviour Code” will be considered an administrative violation, subjecting the school to accountability measures. Schools must inform parents and students of these new regulations, including the duration of phone confiscation.

The ministerial decision also emphasises the need to enforce disciplinary actions outlined in the “Student Behaviour Code” for the misuse of mobile phones, particularly for illegal or unethical activities or any actions that harm others. If a violation is detected, schools must immediately contact parents, summon them to discuss the violation, inform them of the measures taken, and obtain their signatures on the confiscation documents and any required forms.

Students’ best interests

Ibrahim Baraka, Principal of Al-Shu’la Private School in Sharjah, which follows the Ministry of Education curriculum, welcomed the ministry’s decision, stating: “The decision serves the best interests of students, parents, and even the teaching staff. We firmly believe there is no need for students to carry mobile phones within the school campus or inside classrooms during lessons. As a private school implementing the Ministry of Education curriculum, we have enforced a strict policy prohibiting all students from bringing mobile phones from the moment they enter the school gates. This policy benefits both the students and the school community as a whole.”

He further explained: “We have upheld this ban for years, and everyone has complied with it. I have also communicated with parents about the importance of ensuring that all students adhere to this regulation. The school provides means of communication in case of emergencies or urgent situations, so there is no justification for allowing students to bring mobile phones onto school grounds.”

Baraka urged all parents to ensure their children comply with the Ministry of Education’s decision and respect the regulations issued by the ministry. He emphasised the importance of educating students about the necessity of leaving their mobile phones at home to avoid distractions that could interfere with their studies, assignments, and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, in written notices sent to parents, public schools clarified that the decision aligns with the Ministry of Education’s policies, stressing that penalties will be enforced without leniency to maintain a structured and effective learning environment. Students violating the ban will face disciplinary actions, including exclusion from extracurricular activities and school trips.

The guidelines, which also address concerns regarding students who rely on smartphones for accessing digital portals or retrieving passwords, advise students to record necessary information in notebooks to eliminate any need for phones during school hours.

Discipline and responsibility

A senior educator stated, “Bringing a mobile phone to school is a serious violation. The first offence will result in a written warning, followed by an official notice to the parent, with escalating consequences for repeated violations.” The educator emphasised that the objective is to instill a culture of discipline and responsibility within the school environment, highlighting that schools have adopted educational strategies to reinforce behavioral discipline.

Other educators noted that penalties would extend beyond confiscation and warnings. Offending students may be assigned academic tasks or community activities within the school to instill a sense of responsibility and encourage their participation in educational initiatives that promote awareness of the importance of compliance.

Repeated violations of the smartphone ban will trigger progressive disciplinary actions, starting with behavioural monitoring, followed by parental intervention, and potentially leading to temporary suspension in cases of deliberate non-compliance. These measures aim to safeguard the learning environment from distractions that could negatively impact discipline and academic achievement.

Most school principals agreed that these regulations are essential to maintaining a distraction-free learning atmosphere. They emphasised that the goal is not punishment but rather the creation of an environment that supports student focus and academic success. School administrations reiterated that technology should serve as a valuable educational tool rather than a hindrance to learning.

Principals have urged parents to support these measures by monitoring their children’s smartphone use and reinforcing the message that phones are unnecessary within the school setting.

Failure to comply with these directives or the Behaviour Code will be considered an administrative violation, subjecting the school to accountability. School administrations are required to inform parents and students of these new directives, particularly regarding the duration of phone confiscation.

Finally, the ministry stressed the importance of enforcing disciplinary measures outlined in the Behaviour Code regarding the use of mobile phones for illegal, unethical, or inappropriate purposes. Schools must immediately contact parents if any violation related to mobile phone use is detected, summon them to review the violation and the corresponding measures taken, and have them sign the necessary confiscation forms and related documents.