Students face tighter appearance and food rules as schools warn that banned items could be confiscated, recorded and punished under conduct policies, according to local media reports.

The new school year has barely got into its second week,  but some UAE students are already discovering that the rules are getting serious.

The UAE Ministry of Education’s 2026–27 public-school uniform guide requires approved uniforms and says hair should be styled appropriately according to local customs and remain its natural colour

Several public and private schools have now stepped up checks on student appearance, behaviour and food, introducing tougher controls covering everything from hairstyles and hoodies to what youngsters can bring in their lunch bags.

Among the biggest no-go items are qaza-style haircuts, long hair for male students, hoodies worn inside school premises, energy drinks, fizzy drinks, tea, coffee and chips.

And schools are warning that ignoring the rules could have consequences.

Haircuts under the microscope

Students sporting a qaza haircut, in which part of the head is shaved while another section is deliberately left long, have been put on notice.

Long hairstyles for male students are also among the appearance rules being enforced.

Schools say the measures are designed to promote a consistent appearance and discourage behaviour they believe conflicts with educational and social values.

The message to students is clear: what might pass as a trendy look outside the school gates may not make the cut once they walk into school.

Hoodies? Not inside school

The crackdown doesn’t stop at hair.

Schools have also prohibited students from wearing hoodies inside school premises, with the appearance requirements applying from the moment students enter through the gates.

Parents and students have been informed through circulars and official communications outlining the restrictions.

Your lunchbox could also land you in trouble

It isn’t just what’s on students’ heads that’s being scrutinised.

Schools are also tightening controls over what youngsters bring through the gates.

Tea, coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks and chips of all types have been listed among the prohibited food and beverages.

And there’s an important detail: students don’t necessarily escape a violation simply because they haven’t consumed the item.

Schools have warned that having a prohibited food or drink in a student’s possession can itself trigger action.

The item may be confiscated, the incident officially recorded and the school’s conduct code applied, potentially including deductions to the student’s conduct grade.

Students are instead being encouraged to rely on the nutrition and food options supplied by the school’s approved canteen service.

Schools say it’s about more than looks

School administrations say the tighter rules are not simply about policing fashion or deciding what ends up in a lunch bag.

They argue that appearance, conduct and nutrition are part of creating a structured educational environment and reinforcing respect for teachers, classmates and the wider school community.

The schools have also connected the measures to the qualities they want to develop in Emirati students, including national pride, responsibility, discipline, respect, academic ambition and a commitment to excellence and creativity.

In their view, a smart and appropriate appearance is not merely about looking the part. It is intended to reflect a student’s attitude towards themselves, their teachers and fellow students.

The new school-year message

With the academic year now gathering pace, students and parents are being urged to pay close attention to individual school circulars and requirements.

For pupils, that could mean checking the hairstyle before leaving home, leaving the hoodie behind and thinking twice before slipping a can of fizzy drink or a packet of chips into the school bag.

Because this year, UAE schools appear to be taking the message very seriously: school rules start at the gate, and they don’t end with the uniform.

Dubai parents may need to rethink their October plans after some schools brought forward their half-term holiday by one week.

Several private schools in the emirate have revised their academic calendars, moving the October break from October 19–23 to October 12–16.

The change affects schools including Dubai British School, Safa British School and Arab Unity School, according to reports.

For families at these schools, the earlier holiday means children will finish classes on Friday, October 9 and return on Monday, October 19.

With the weekends included, students will effectively have nine consecutive days away from school, from October 10 to October 18.

Why has the October break changed?

Parents at affected schools were notified of the revised dates through school communications.

The updated calendars are intended to bring school holidays in line with the academic calendar set by Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The adjustment means families who had been planning trips around the originally published October 19–23 break should check their school’s latest calendar before finalising arrangements.

Is every Dubai school changing its dates?

No, and this is important. The revised dates do not automatically apply to every private school in Dubai.

Holiday schedules can differ depending on the curriculum a school follows and the regulations under which it operates. Schools following curricula other than the British curriculum may have different term and holiday dates.

Parents should therefore rely on the latest information issued directly by their child’s school rather than assuming that all schools will follow the same October schedule.

Could Dubai students get another mid-term break?

There is another possibility parents should be aware of.

The current academic calendar does not include a February half-term for schools that follow this schedule. Some private schools may choose to divide their mid-term holiday and introduce a break in February instead.

However, schools cannot simply add extra days off. Any change would require the necessary approvals, and the total break must remain within the permitted five school days.

What are the revised dates?

For schools that have adopted the earlier October break:

Last day before holiday: Friday, October 9
Half-term: October 12–16
Weekend: October 17–18
Students return: Monday, October 19

That gives students a break of nine days when the two weekends are included.

What parents need to know?

Before booking flights or making October holiday plans, parents should check their school’s latest academic calendar or parent circular.

If you scroll through medical feeds in Dubai, you’ve probably seen your share of ‘miracle’ transformations, ‘magic’  fixes, and glowing influencer reviews. That era is coming to a hard stop.

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has rolled out sweeping new social media guidelines targeting every licensed doctor, clinic, and hospital promoting services across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp.

Here is a breakdown of what is changing, what is officially off-limits, and how it impacts anyone creating medical content in the emirate.

1. Hype words are banned

The DHA is tackling exaggerated claims that give patients unrealistic expectations. If you are promoting a procedure, you can no longer describe it with words like:

• Miraculous or magic
• The best, unique, or incomparable
• 100%, certain, or guaranteed success
• Zero side effects or immediate results
• Pioneer, famous, or exclusive

Any promo promising money-back guarantees, taking cheap shots at competitor clinics, or slamming government entities is strictly barred.

2. Influencers face direct accountability

Partnering with influencers won’t create a legal loophole. If an influencer features a clinic, treatment, or outcome, the content must be reviewed and signed off by the facility’s medical director before it goes live.

Even if an influencer shoots a reel on their personal phone inside a clinic or shares it to their private profile, the clinic itself is held legally responsible.

3. Strict rules on professional titles

Doctors and staff can only use the exact job titles printed on their official DHA licenses. Vague or buzzy marketing labels like Beauty Expert, Anti-Ageing Specialist, Cosmetic Specialist, or Cosmetologist are no longer permitted.

Additionally, the title Dr is reserved exclusively for physicians, dentists, and holders of recognised PhD degrees attested by the UAE Ministry of Education.

4. No surgery live-streams and tighter photo rules

The rules also clamp down on patient imagery:

• Operating Rooms: Filming or live-streaming promotional videos during minor or major surgeries, or while a patient is under anaesthesia, is completely banned.
• Before-and-After Shots: Photos must show the same patient, captured with the same camera lens, completely unedited, and paired with a clear disclaimer stating that results vary.
• Consent: Facilities must secure written consent before posting any patient’s image, video, or review (with parental consent mandatory for anyone under 18).

5. Separate accounts for visiting doctors

Doctors who divide their practice between Dubai and overseas can no longer mix their feeds. They are required to run a dedicated, Dubai-specific account that aligns fully with DHA standards, even when sharing content involving treatments done abroad.

6. Medical directors in the hot seat

Medical directors are now tasked with policing internal output. They must approve every social post mentioning the facility, archive content for unannounced DHA audits, designate moderators, and run regular staff training on what is legally acceptable.

The update forms part of the DHA’s wider 2022–2026 strategy to clean up digital medical marketing, respect local cultural values, and make sure patients get realistic, evidence-based healthcare information.