ABU DHABI: UAE public and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum have started implementing a ministerial decision that prohibits students and parents from bringing mobile phones onto school campuses.

A senior official from the Ministry of Education informed Gulf News that the ministry had recently issued a circular enforcing the “Student Behaviour Code,” which specifically bans the use of mobile phones within schools. According to this regulation, any mobile phone found in a student’s possession will be immediately confiscated, and parents are also prohibited from bringing mobile phones onto school campuses.

The official clarified that this rule applies to public schools and private schools adhering to the Ministry of Education curriculum, while private and community schools not following the ministry's curriculum can decide whether to enforce the policy.

The purpose of this decision, as stated in the circular, is to strengthen the partnership between schools, parents, and students, ensuring the safety and privacy of all involved. The ban is based on Ministerial Decision No. 851 of 2018, specifically Article 17, Clause 13, which prohibits mobile phones on school campuses. The primary objectives are to prevent potential harm, encourage positive student behavior, and enhance overall well-being.

Schools will conduct routine inspections to ensure compliance with the decision, but these checks will be done with respect for student privacy and in adherence to UAE laws, which prohibit physical contact with students. Inspections will be limited to students' bags and personal belongings to maintain transparency. Additionally, a self-inspection policy will allow students to empty their bags or pockets in front of an inspection committee without physical interaction with their belongings.

If a student is found with a mobile phone, it will be confiscated, and parents will be informed. For a first-time violation, the phone will be held for a month, and in case of a repeat violation, it will be kept until the end of the academic year. If photos of teachers, students, or staff are found on the phone, the student will be referred to the "Child Rights Unit" for further action.

Failure to implement the decision or enforce the "Student Behaviour Code" will be considered an administrative violation, and schools will be held accountable. Schools are required to inform both parents and students about the new regulations, including the duration of phone confiscation.

The ministerial decision also emphasizes the need for schools to enforce disciplinary actions for mobile phone misuse, particularly in cases involving illegal or unethical activities. Schools must immediately notify parents, discuss the violation, and obtain their signatures on the confiscation documents.

Ibrahim Baraka, Principal of Al-Shu’la Private School in Sharjah, welcomed the decision, stating that the ban is in the best interest of students, parents, and teaching staff. He noted that the school has had a strict mobile phone policy for years, requiring students to leave their phones outside the school gates. Baraka encouraged parents to ensure their children comply with the new regulation, stressing that there is no need for students to carry mobile phones at school.

Public schools have also sent written notices to parents, clarifying that the decision aligns with the Ministry of Education’s policies. The notices emphasized that penalties will be enforced without leniency to maintain an effective learning environment, with violators facing disciplinary actions such as exclusion from extracurricular activities and school trips.

To address concerns about students relying on phones for accessing digital portals or retrieving passwords, schools have advised students to write down necessary information in notebooks to avoid needing phones during school hours.

A senior educator pointed out that bringing a mobile phone to school is considered a serious violation, with consequences escalating for repeated violations. The goal, according to educators, is to instill a culture of discipline and responsibility, ensuring that mobile phones do not become a distraction that negatively affects students' studies and responsibilities.

Some educators noted that the penalties for violations would go beyond confiscation and warnings. Offending students may be assigned academic tasks or community activities within the school to help them learn the importance of compliance and responsibility.

Repeated violations of the mobile phone ban will lead to progressive disciplinary actions, such as behavioral monitoring, parental intervention, and potentially temporary suspension for deliberate non-compliance. These measures aim to maintain a distraction-free learning environment, which is crucial for academic success.

Most school principals agree that the regulations are necessary to create a focused and structured learning atmosphere. They emphasize that the goal is not to punish students but to support their academic progress. Principals have urged parents to reinforce these regulations at home by ensuring their children leave mobile phones at home.

The Ministry of Education stressed that failure to comply with these regulations or the "Student Behaviour Code" will be considered an administrative violation, holding the school accountable. Schools are required to notify both parents and students about the new rules, particularly regarding the confiscation duration.

The ministry also emphasized the need to enforce disciplinary actions for the misuse of mobile phones, especially if used for illegal or unethical activities. Schools must inform parents immediately if any violations occur, have them sign confiscation documents, and ensure that appropriate actions are taken.