The Ministry of Education has reinforced its ban on mobile phones in schools, directing public schools to conduct regular inspections to detect violations. These checks will be limited to students’ bags and personal belongings only, in line with regulations protecting privacy.

Any phone found in a student’s possession will be confiscated under the Student Behaviour Management Regulation. 

The Ministry stressed the importance of immediately notifying parents when a violation is detected and summoning them to review the details. 

Parents are required to sign the official forms (Form 24 upon confiscation and Form 25 upon the phone’s return).

The confiscation period is one month for a first offence, while repeat violations will see the phone withheld until the end of the academic year.

School administrations have urged parents to support the initiative by educating their children about the rules, highlighting that the measures are designed to maintain a safe, distraction-free learning environment and encourage positive classroom behaviour.

Dubai Police Academy has unveiled a new master’s degree in cybersecurity, the first of its kind among police colleges in the Arab world. The one-year programme, which begins in December 2025, comes with tuition fees of Dh60,000 and is open to both UAE citizens and residents.

Dr Ebtsam Al Awadhi, Director of Graduate Studies at the academy, said the degree will cover four key areas: policies and management, digital forensics, digital infrastructure and security, and scientific research and publishing. Unlike traditional police academic programmes that usually take two to three years, this one is designed to be completed in a single year, requiring 30 credit hours across three semesters and a summer term.

Eligibility/Admission
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in law, security sciences or a related field from a university recognised by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. At least five years of professional experience in cybersecurity is required, alongside English proficiency (IELTS 5.5, TOEFL CBT 5.5, TOEFL IBT 550, or equivalent). Candidates must also pass an academic exam and a personal interview.

Industry-driven approach
Dr Saeed Al Rashdi, a cybersecurity expert, said the programme has been designed in line with market needs. “Practical training will take the largest share, supported by theoretical study, and industry specialists will deliver the teaching,” he explained.

Cybercrime expertise
Dubai Police has been at the forefront of tackling digital crime, with its Criminal Data Analysis Centre working alongside the CID to use AI and advanced systems for detecting criminal hotspots and predicting cyber threats. The force has successfully disrupted high-value cyber fraud operations, including tracking a gang behind a multi-billion-dirham scam.

Graduates of the new programme will be well-placed to support such missions, with strong prospects for roles in the cybersecurity sector, and potentially within Dubai Police’s own cybercrime units.

Registration is now open on the Dubai Police Academy website, with the first intake expected to include 15–20 students.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed a series of traffic improvements in 10 busy school zones across the city, making life easier for parents, students, and staff.

The works, carried out over the summer break, covered areas such as Al Warqa 1, 3 and 4, Al Safa 1, Al Barsha 1, Al Garhoud, Al Mizhar 1 and 4, Al Qusais and Al Barsha South, benefiting 27 schools in total.

What changed?

• Wider roads and smoother traffic flow
• New entrances and exits to ease congestion
• More parking for parents and staff (up to 90% more in some places)
• Safer pedestrian features, including signals and traffic-calming measures

The RTA says some zones have already seen traffic flow improve by up to 40 per cent.

Work is still underway in other school areas like Umm Al Sheif, Al Warqa, and Al Barsha. The project is being carried out in coordination with Dubai Police to ensure safety for students and families.

Parents and school bus drivers are also urged to follow safety rules, use designated drop-off zones, and stay alert around schools.