UAE schools issue 12 strict rules for students and parents as new academic year begins

Abu Dhabi: Public and private schools across the UAE have issued a strict set of rules for students and parents for the 2025–26 academic year, warning that violations could lead to penalties and referrals to authorities.

In circulars sent to families, schools outlined 12 prohibited behaviours, ranging from students bringing mobile phones to class to parents driving against traffic in school parking lots. The rules aim to strengthen discipline, ease congestion during drop-off and pick-up, and ensure student safety.

For students, the banned actions include skipping classes without a valid excuse, smoking or carrying prohibited substances on campus, verbally or physically assaulting teachers or peers, damaging school property, forging official documents, stealing, failing to wear the school uniform, and bringing mobile phones to school.

Administrators stressed that such violations will result in disciplinary action and, in some cases, escalation to law enforcement.

Parents and drivers were also cautioned against unsafe practices during pick-up and drop-off.

Prohibited behaviours include stopping in the middle of the road, allowing children to exit vehicles in unsafe areas, blocking emergency exits or parking spaces reserved for people of determination, driving against the traffic flow, sounding car horns excessively, refusing to give way to cars exiting parking, and ignoring school bus stop signs. Schools said such violations will be recorded and may be referred to authorities.

Additional logistical rules were also introduced. Families with more than one child must collect all children from the youngest’s designated collection point, while only one guardian is permitted inside the courtyard. Parents must also maintain distancing in courtyards and adhere strictly to assigned entry and exit times to ease traffic.

Schools reminded parents that vehicles must stop when school buses extend their “Stop” sign, warning that violations are now recorded automatically and carry legal penalties.