UAE Ministry of Education bans mobile phones in schools, sets strict inspection rules

The Ministry of Education has officially banned students from bringing mobile phones onto school premises and announced strict new inspection and confiscation procedures.

The directive, issued through a circular to school principals and kindergartens, is based on Ministerial Resolution No. (851) of 2018 concerning the Student Behavior Management Regulation, specifically Article (7) on second-degree violations. The measure is aimed at protecting students from the risks of phone misuse while reinforcing a disciplined, safe, and positive learning environment.

Inspections and privacy rules

Schools are required to conduct regular inspection campaigns to detect mobile phones. Searches must comply with regulations that respect student privacy—inspectors cannot physically touch students. Instead, students must display their own belongings to inspection committees to ensure transparency and fairness.

Confiscation rules

• First offense: Phone confiscated for one month.

• Repeated violations: Phone withheld until the end of the academic year.
  Parents must be notified immediately of violations and are required to sign official forms (Form 24 upon confiscation and Form 25 upon return).

Disciplinary measures

In addition to confiscation, disciplinary action will be enforced if phones are used for illegal, unethical, or offensive purposes, in line with the regulation. Schools that fail to comply with the new measures face administrative accountability.

Why the ban?

The Ministry underlined that the decision is not anti-technology but a regulatory safeguard to protect academic integrity and student wellbeing. Key reasons for banning phones in schools and exam halls include:

1. Preventing cheating through internet or messaging access.

2. Ensuring fairness, as not all students own the same devices.

3. Reducing distractions and anxiety during learning and exams.

4. Preventing exam leaks on social media.

5. Promoting discipline and integrity, reinforcing values of honesty and self-reliance.

Cooperation with families

The Ministry urged parents to support these measures, highlighting the importance of cooperation between schools and families to uphold discipline. Awareness programs for students and parents will also be intensified.

Officials emphasized that these steps are part of the Ministry’s wider commitment to fostering a safe and disciplined educational environment, ensuring fairness in assessments, and preparing students with values that extend beyond the classroom.