Public and private schools across Abu Dhabi have begun strictly enforcing a complete ban on mobile phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices on school premises, citing student safety, discipline, and privacy concerns.

The move aligns with Ministerial Resolution No. 851 of 2018 on Student Behaviour Management Regulations and is described by school authorities as “final and non-negotiable.” Devices found in students’ possession will be confiscated, with return only at the end of the term, or later in repeat cases.

Parents and Students Must Sign Pledge

To reinforce the policy, schools are requiring both parents and students to sign an official pledge agreeing not to bring smart devices to school. Disciplinary action will apply without exception, administrators confirmed.

What’s Banned and What Happens if You Break the Rules

• Banned Devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, gaming devices, and cameras (unless approved in advance)
• First Offence: Phone confiscated for one month
• Repeated Offences: Confiscation until the academic year ends
• If Photos/Videos Are Found: The Case is referred to the Child Protection Unit

Parents will also be required to sign official Form 24 upon confiscation and Form 25 upon return of the device.

Why the Ban?

In circulars to parents, schools cited the psychological impact of phone addiction, including mood changes, reduced attention, and social isolation. They also pointed to issues such as:

• Disruption of the learning process
• Negative impact on academic performance
• Increased risk of bullying
• Violation of others’ privacy

Schools are encouraging students to use laptops or tablets for educational purposes instead, and have advised students to record key login details for academic portals in notebooks, eliminating the need for phones.

Penalties and Parent Involvement

In addition to device confiscation, penalties for violating the rule may include:

• Exclusion from extracurricular activities
• Ineligibility for school trips

Parents are also urged to support these efforts by encouraging positive behaviour, attending awareness sessions, and reinforcing school values at home.

School leaders say these measures are part of broader efforts to build a disciplined, distraction-free learning environment that supports academic success and student well-being.

As summer peaks, so does one of the UAE’s most significant holidays, Eid Al Adha. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a longer break, now is the perfect time to start planning your leave.

While the official dates for Islamic holidays depend on the moon sighting, astronomical projections indicate that Eid Al Adha 2025 is expected to fall on Friday, June 6.

What is Eid Al Adha?

Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. It follows the Day of Arafah, a significant day of fasting and prayer for Muslims.

When Is Eid Al Adha 2025 in the UAE?

Based on current forecasts:

• May 27: Crescent moon expected to be visible
• May 28: Likely to be the 1st of Dhu Al Hijjah
• June 5 (Thursday): Day of Arafah
• June 6 (Friday): Eid Al Adha

UAE Public Holiday for Eid Al Adha

According to the UAE’s official holiday calendar, the public holiday spans from the 9th to 12th of Dhu Al Hijjah, meaning four days off.

If Eid falls on Friday, June 6, the UAE will enjoy a four-day weekend:

• Thursday: Arafah Day
• Friday: Eid Al Adha
• Saturday–Sunday: Regular weekend

However, if the moon isn’t sighted on May 27, the start of Dhu Al Hijjah may shift by a day — meaning Eid Al Adha could fall on Saturday, June 7, pushing the holiday to run from Saturday to Tuesday. In that case, it won’t align with the weekend.

How to Turn Eid Al Adha Into a 15-Day Holiday

Want a longer break? Here’s a smart plan using minimal annual leave:

• Take leave from Monday, June 2 to Wednesday, June 4
• With the Eid break from June 5 to June 8 (if Eid is on Friday), you get 11 days off
• Add leave from Monday, June 9 to Thursday, June 12 to extend the break
• Include weekends before and after: May 31–June 1 and June 13–14

Total time off: 15 days
Annual leave used: Just 7 days

Official Eid Al Adha 2025 dates will be confirmed by the UAE Moon-Sighting Committee closer to the time.

Flights between the UAE and South Asia have been significantly disrupted after Pakistan closed its airspace amid rising tensions with India. This closure has left thousands of passengers stranded, leading to a wave of flight cancellations and diversions. Travellers are encouraged to check their flight status with their airlines as the situation develops.

UAE flights affected

Several Gulf carriers, including Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai, and Qatar Airways, have cancelled or rerouted flights:

• Emirates cancelled services between Dubai and Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
• Etihad Airways suspended Abu Dhabi flights to Karachi (EY297), Lahore (EY285) and Islamabad (EY303).
• Flydubai suspended flights to Multan, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Faisalabad.
  Some services, including Karachi, have now resumed.
• Etihad confirmed that three Pakistan-bound flights were forced to return mid-air to Abu Dhabi on May 6.
• Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan.

Global airlines reroute to avoid Pakistani airspace

International carriers are also adjusting flight paths:

• EVA Air (Taiwan) and Korean Air have rerouted their Europe-bound flights.
• Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, and others are flying longer detours over the Arabian Sea and Central Asia.

Airport closures across India and Pakistan

Several airports in northern India and Pakistan are closed until further notice, including: Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala in India. Srinagar Airport has also suspended all civilian flights.

Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air have cancelled or delayed flights to and from these cities.

Air India:

Suspended services to Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until 12 noon on May 7.
Two international flights to Amritsar have been diverted to Delhi.

SpiceJet:

Confirmed the closure of airports including Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar, warning passengers of disruptions to departures, arrivals, and connections.

IndiGo:

Flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, and Bikaner have been impacted by changing airspace conditions.

Akasa Air:

Akasa Air said flights to and from Srinagar have been cancelled. Passengers have been told to check their flight status before commencing their travel to the airport.

Pakistan declares emergency at airports

Pakistan has declared an air emergency at major airports, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Skardu, and Peshawar, following heightened military tensions with India. The move has triggered strict security measures and caused disruptions to flight operations across the country. In response to the escalating situation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suspended all flights for 12 hours as a precaution.

What should travellers do?

All airlines are advising passengers to:

• Check the airline’s website or app for real-time flight updates
• Avoid travelling to the airport unless your flight is confirmed
• Make a fresh booking or request a refund if your flight is cancelled

Airlines have apologised for the inconvenience and said they are monitoring the situation closely. Passenger safety remains the top priority.