Dubai bans students from bringing mobile phones to school even if switched off

Schools in Dubai have reiterated warnings to students against bringing mobile phones onto school premises, stressing that the ban applies even if the device is switched off or kept unused inside a schoolbag.

Meanwhile, they announced plans to step up monitoring and conduct regular inspections starting next week.

By means of circulars and notices, school administrations underlined the need for students to abide by regulations governing the use of electronic devices, particularly mobile phones and cameras, warning that violators would face approved disciplinary measures and that their parents would be notified accordingly.

The renewed warnings followed the discovery of mobile phones in the possession of a number of students within schools. This prompted some school administrations to reiterate that the violation would occur the moment the device is brought onto school premises, regardless of whether it is actually used, and that keeping it in a bag or claiming it was brought by mistake would not exempt the student from the prescribed disciplinary measures.

School administrations stated that any mobile phone found in a student’s possession would be confiscated and held for a minimum of one month, in accordance with established procedures, stressing that they would deal firmly with offenders to ensure compliance with the announced regulations.

They urged students and parents to co-operate by avoiding to send mobile phones to school with the students so that no disciplinary measures would be taken against them.

The tightened measures aimed to reinforce discipline within the educational environment and curb practices that could affect students’ concentration and the orderly conduct of the school day, while students would be held responsible for abiding by the approved instructions and regulations.