With the start of the new academic year, many parents in the UAE find themselves in new WhatsApp groups, sometimes multiple ones. In response, schools are increasingly issuing specific policies regarding the use of these digital spaces, establishing clear rules for interaction between parents and teachers.
After classes resumed on August 31st, students were assigned to new classes, parents were added to the corresponding groups, and the usual flow of reminders, homework questions, and school updates resumed.
While such groups can simplify school life, they can also quickly become overwhelming. A simple question can trigger a lengthy discussion, and disagreements among parents can spill out of the space originally intended for information exchange.
A study published in the journal Teaching and Teacher Education in 2025, focusing on WhatsApp groups involving parents and teachers in primary schools, showed that this platform has the potential to strengthen the bond between teachers and parents. Researchers noted the immediacy and accessibility of WhatsApp, as well as its ability to foster a sense of community and connection.
However, the study also warned that excessive parental involvement could undermine teacher authority. It was found that having clear rules governing group operation can increase communication effectiveness.
For schools in the UAE, where WhatsApp is widely used in daily communication, principals emphasize that setting such boundaries is crucial.
At Sharjah Indian School, WhatsApp groups connecting teachers and parents are primarily used for disseminating information, with teachers usually acting as administrators. Pradmod Mahajan, director of Sharjah Indian School, reported that the school has also set time limits for teacher communication, asking staff to refrain from posting messages after 8:00 PM.
He explained: 'We have WhatsApp groups that bring together teachers and parents, but teachers are usually the administrators. They have been asked not to post messages after 8:00 PM unless it is an emergency. During the school day, teachers do not have access to Wi-Fi, so messages are typically sent after they complete their official duties. These groups are primarily for sharing and transmitting information. Parents are not expected to use them for personal comments or individual discussions. We also have a school diary and portal where parents can communicate directly with teachers.'
The director noted that the school has occasionally observed conversations straying from their original purpose, making parental judgment particularly important. He added: 'Despite these guidelines, conversations can sometimes go off track. There have even been instances where students took their parents' phones and started responding themselves. This is why it is important for parents to be mindful of what they post. WhatsApp groups work best when used properly, and messages should never be personal, provocative, inflammatory, or disrespectful.'
Woodlem Education has a similar approach, focusing on maintaining a formal and structured nature of communication. Nufal Ahmed, founder and CEO of Woodlem Education, described these groups as a useful first point of contact, while the school provides teachers with official SIM cards to maintain professional communication.
Ahmed stated: 'WhatsApp groups are a positive and effective first point of contact between teachers and parents. We are one of the few schools that provide teachers with official SIM cards, which ensures professionalism, accessibility, and school endorsement of the communication. Our school WhatsApp groups function mainly as broadcast channels for announcements, reminders, academic updates, and important information.' The school also shares its WhatsApp Group Policy with parents at the beginning of each academic year, requiring them to confirm receipt.
Ahmed emphasized that issues concerning teachers, students, grades, homework, or school policy should not become subjects of public discussion in the group. 'Parents are advised not to discuss matters related to teachers, students, grades, homework, or school policy publicly. Instead, we follow a clear escalation process through the relevant sector head. Issues are investigated confidentially, and parents are contacted if necessary. This approach prevents misinformation, protects privacy, promotes respectful dialogue, and ensures that problems are resolved constructively and promptly.'
For parents who have participated in school WhatsApp groups for years, the experience can be both beneficial and frustrating. Najila Abdullah, mother of two high school students who has been in school WhatsApp groups for many years, shared that she has seen everything: from parents helping each other to arguments and unnecessary drama.
She believes that these groups are a double-edged sword. When used correctly, they can become an incredible support system, but when people start making personal complaints or trying to resolve disputes in the group, the situation can quickly get out of hand. Abdullah believes that schools can help by setting basic rules and ensuring there is a responsible administrator to enforce them. She also thinks schools could provide parents with guidelines on how to use these groups. If a disagreement arises, it is better to resolve it outside the group rather than turning it into a battleground. Nevertheless, despite the potential for conflict, she does not want to lose the sense of community aspect of these groups, as some of the best support she received as a parent came from these groups.
Another parent, Nora Jaber, believes the main issue is not WhatsApp itself, but how and when it is used. She notes that school WhatsApp groups can be a truly ambiguous phenomenon: they are very convenient for exchanging urgent updates and reminders, which helps parents feel more connected. However, they can become overwhelming, especially when messages arrive late in the evening.
Jaber also stressed that clear boundaries can define the difference between a useful communication channel and another source of stress for parents. Without such boundaries, in her opinion, it is easy to blur the line between school and home.