UAE schools urge parents to ensure that their children avoid phones during online classes

A number of school administrations have issued a directive urging parents to ensure that their children avoid using mobile phones during online classes, citing concerns over the negative impact on learning quality and reduced student engagement.

In official circulars, they highlighted repeated instances of students relying on mobile phones to attend sessions — a practice deemed inappropriate for digital learning and ineffective in meeting educational objectives.

Administrators explained that the limited screen size of mobile phones compromises the clarity of instructional content, reduces focus, and hampers student participation.

Furthermore, they underscored the distractions posed by phones, including notifications and access to non-educational apps.

The circulars emphasised the need for students to use computers or tablets as more suitable alternatives, providing a more conducive learning environment that enables better monitoring and active engagement.

Parents were urged to play an essential role in ensuring their children comply with these guidelines, helping achieve optimal educational outcomes.

The school administrations also clarified that Microsoft Teams and the Learning Management System (LMS) are the exclusive platforms for distance learning. Additionally, links to classes will not be disseminated through platforms like Telegram, nor should they be shared on other channels.

Adherence to these measures was strongly encouraged, including maintaining proper classroom behavior, interacting during sessions, and ensuring cameras are turned on to confirm attendance.