UAE Schools Tighten Rules Regarding Appearance, Hoodies, and Energy Drinks

Schools in the United Arab Emirates are reviewing ways of interacting with students under 15 following the introduction of new rules restricting access to social media. Educators warn that this change may affect children's access to school information and maintaining peer connections.

Although some educational institutions already use official platforms for administrative and academic communication, the withdrawal from social media may be felt more acutely by students accustomed to using digital channels to communicate with friends and stay connected to the wider school community.

Claire Scowen, Vice President of Risk and Global Head of Child Protection at GEMS Education, noted that children may react to changes differently: some adapt quickly, while others might initially feel isolated or worry about missing out on something important.

Scowen emphasized that schools need to maintain contact with students and consider their concerns so they continue to feel part of school life. Furthermore, she advised parents and schools to watch for behavioral changes such as withdrawal, mood swings, increased anxiety or irritability, changes in friend groups, or statements of exclusion.

However, Scowen cautioned that such changes are not necessarily caused by reduced social media access, making it crucial for adults to talk to children and understand the broader context.

She also strongly recommended that schools and families should not replace social media with increased screen time on other platforms. Instead, they should encourage children to find a balance between digital activity, sleep, physical exercise, hobbies, family time, and in-person interaction.

The transition was less noticeable at RAK Academy because the school had initially used school-managed channels instead of social media for official announcements. Leigh Watson, Head of Positive Engagement at RAK Academy, reported that parents receive emails from the entire Academy when necessary, and middle school students receive updates through their school email accounts and Google Classroom. Primary schools interact with families via ClassDojo.

The school also utilizes teachers, assemblies, email, and Google Classroom to inform students about events, clubs, and other activities. According to Watson, this approach allows students to not depend on personal social media accounts for school life information, as teachers can inform them directly about opportunities.

RAK Academy also focuses on in-person interaction, as students spend less time on social media, which is facilitated through sports, clubs, enrichment activities, and student-led programs.

At Credence High School, communication with students and parents was also conducted through official channels, including a parent portal and app, while Google Classrooms are used for assignments, project work, and learning materials. Dipika Tappar Singh, CEO and Principal of Credence High School, called for attention to children who become withdrawn, less talkative about friends, or reluctant to participate in school activities.

She also warned against simply replacing one screen habit with another, recommending instead activities such as reading, performing arts, visual arts, and sports as ways to maintain children's interest. These changes force schools to consider not only how younger students receive academic and administrative information but also how they continue to participate in events and maintain social connections amid changing social media access.

Although the new academic year has just begun, families in Dubai can already look forward to an early break, which for many Dubai students will come sooner than previously expected.

Several private schools in Dubai have notified parents about the change in October holiday dates, shifting the five-day break forward by a week to align the schedule with the calendar of the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE).

For schools that follow a unified academic calendar, the mid-October break will run from Monday, October 12, to Friday, October 16, 2026. Thus, students will receive five days off. Considering preceding and subsequent holidays, they will be absent from school from October 10 to October 18, and classes will resume on Monday, October 19.

This change is particularly important for families whose schools originally planned holidays from October 19 to 23. A number of Dubai schools, including Dubai British School, Safa British School, and Arab Unity School, have sent notifications to parents confirming the revised dates. The schools explained that this change follows recommendations to bring their schedules into compliance with the calendars of the MoE and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

This adjustment is part of the UAE's move towards a more unified school timetable. The new three-year academic calendar introduced by the MoE sets the period from October 12 to 16 as the first mid-semester break for the 2026–27 academic year. The Dubai KHDA adopted the MoE calendar for schools under its regulation, forcing affected schools to change previously published dates.

The practical takeaway for parents is simple: do not rely on the old school calendar. It is necessary to check the latest approved calendar issued by the child's school before booking flights, hotels, or nurseries.

It is important to note that these October dates apply only to schools participating in the agreements regarding the unified calendar. Private schools using alternative curricula or operating under different regional regulations may have different holiday schedules.

Schools in Sharjah are subject to the emirate's own regulatory provisions, and schools following Asian programs may also operate under different academic calendars. Therefore, parents should consider the individual school calendar as the final reference.

For schools following the MoE calendar, the new academic year started on Monday, August 31, 2026. The first semester is scheduled for 13 weeks and 67 instructional days, with the October break representing the first planned pause in classes. After this, students continue lessons and assessments until November and December before the winter holidays.

Currently, no national holidays are scheduled in the UAE for September 2026. The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday was celebrated on Friday, August 28, shortly before schools resumed operations. The next national holiday in the UAE is National Day, which will take place on December 2 and 3, 2026. These two days are public holidays for both the public and private sectors.

For families, this means that the National Day break occurs shortly before the start of the winter school holidays. According to the MoE calendar for the 2026–27 academic year, winter holidays begin on Monday, December 14, 2026, and last until Sunday, January 3, 2027. Schools plan to resume operations on Monday, January 4, 2027.

Thus, for families planning trips for Christmas or New Year, the last scheduled school day for many students will fall on Friday, December 11. Again, international and alternative schools may publish different dates, so parents should contact their child's school directly.

For schools following the MoE calendar, the end of the academic year is scheduled for Friday, July 2, 2027. Since the academic year began on August 31, 2026, families have several breaks around which they can plan their affairs before the end of the school year. Before making any irreversible travel bookings, it is recommended to consult the school's approved calendar rather than the general UAE holiday calendar.