GEMS Education has appointed top international educator James Monaghan as the CEO and founding principal of the GEMS School of Research and Innovation (SRI), set to be Dubai’s most expensive school, with annual fees reaching up to Dh206,000.

Monaghan, who has over 30 years of global education leadership experience across the UAE, UK, USA, and South Korea, previously led North London Collegiate School in both Dubai and Jeju, South Korea.

His appointment marks a major step for SRI, a new Dh367 million school in Dubai Sports City that promises to deliver next-level education with cutting-edge AI and innovation at its core.

Calling the role a “defining moment” in his career, Monaghan said he looks forward to building an inclusive school where creativity, innovation, and excellence are at the heart of learning.

The premium British-curriculum school, described by GEMS as “one of the finest in the world,” will open in August 2025.

The campus boasts world-class amenities designed to bring the learning experience to life, including:

• Specialist robotics and science laboratories.
• A 600-seat auditorium.
• Olympic-sized swimming pool.
• AR and VR-enabled learning centres.

SRI students will also be the first to benefit from the $1 million ‘Next Billion Innovation’ start-up fund, aimed at helping GEMS students create impactful solutions with global reach.

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.

In a bold move to future-proof education, the UAE’s Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will become an official subject for all public school students from kindergarten to Grade 12, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.

The new curriculum aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to understand AI and apply it in real life, preparing them for a tech-driven future and placing the UAE among the world’s first countries to introduce AI at a national school level.

AI in Classrooms

The initiative supports the UAE’s broader vision to become a global leader in AI and digital transformation.

“This is a strategic step that modernises teaching tools and supports a generation of young people who understand tech ethics and can create smart, locally relevant solutions to future challenges,” Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, told Emirates News Agency. 

Curriculum For All Age Groups

The AI programme covers seven core areas: foundational concepts, data and algorithms, software use, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and community engagement. Each unit is carefully tailored for age-appropriate learning.

• Kindergarten students will explore AI through visual storytelling and interactive play.
• In Cycle 1 (Grades 1–4), children compare machines to humans and begin developing digital thinking skills.
• Cycle 2 (Grades 5–8) introduces designing AI systems, understanding bias, and ethics in tech.
• By Cycle 3 (Grades 9–12), students will tackle command engineering and simulate real-world AI scenarios to prepare for university and future careers.

Smart Teaching

The new AI subject will be integrated into the existing Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation classes, meaning no extra teaching hours are needed. Specially trained teachers will deliver the content using custom-designed lesson plans, hands-on activities, and adaptable learning models.