Dubai’s Emirates International School bans mobile phones in classrooms ahead of new term
New Arabic language initiatives align with recent Ministry of Education reforms
DUBAI – The Emirates International School (EIS) in Dubai has announced a ban on the use of mobile phones in classrooms, just two days before the new academic year begins on Monday.
UAE businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, who owns the school, confirmed the decision on Saturday through a video message on his X account. He said the move aims to create “a more focused and disciplined educational environment”.
“Students will have to hand over their phones to the management or not bring them to school. This will not be allowed at all until they finish their classes,” Al Habtoor said.
يسعدني أن أعلن أن #مدرسة_الإمارات_الدولية، إحدى مؤسساتنا التعليمية، ستبدأ بتطبيق قرارين مهمين هذا العام الدراسي:
— Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor (@KhalafAlHabtoor) August 23, 2025
أولاً: منع استخدام الهواتف المحمولة خلال ساعات الدراسة، لضمان بيئة تعليمية أكثر تركيزاً وانضباطاً.
ثانياً: تعزيز #اللغة_العربية وإعطاؤها الأهمية التي تستحقها في… pic.twitter.com/HAvIlx85KU
What will change?
According to the announcement, pupils will be required to hand in their phones at the start of the school day and collect them once classes are over. EIS stated that this measure is intended to improve focus, encourage face-to-face interaction, and reduce distractions. The school further noted that its high school students at the Jumeirah branch will lock away their devices during the day as part of the new system.
Al Habtoor also highlighted that the school is adopting a stronger emphasis on Arabic language education, describing the initiative as central to “preserving identity and belonging”. He called on other schools in the UAE to follow EIS’s example, saying education is both “a trust and a responsibility”.
Mobile phone ban in UAE schools
UAE public schools already prohibit students from bringing mobile phones to classrooms in order to protect safety, privacy and promote positive behaviour. A second violation can result in the device being held until the end of the academic year. Many private schools also impose restrictions, ranging from warnings to confiscations for repeat offences.
New Arabic language initiatives
The EIS initiative comes as the Ministry of Education has introduced a series of curriculum changes for this year. These include allocating more time to Arabic and Islamic education, particularly for kindergarten and Cycle 1 students.
In addition, Grade 1 pupils across 100 schools will sit an Arabic baseline assessment to help teachers provide tailored support. Earlier this year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) mandated Arabic language education for all children from birth to six years across private schools and early childhood centres in Dubai.
Founded in 1991, Emirates International School has two campuses in Dubai, located in Jumeirah and Meadows.