UAE schools implement laptop bans and VPN restrictions

Public and private schools in the United Arab Emirates are implementing new digital learning guidelines for the 2026-27 academic year. Under a new “Guide to Reducing the Use of Digital Tools in Learning,” Grade 6 students in both general and advanced streams in public schools are prohibited from bringing laptops to school.

The policy aims to prioritize textbooks, handwritten notes, and direct classroom interaction over digital devices. While technology is not completely banned, its use will be restricted to specific, teacher-guided home-based assignments and digital learning platforms rather than daily classroom use.

In private schools, new measures include a ban on VPN applications and unauthorized access to private virtual platforms on school campuses and networks. These restrictions are part of a broader effort to mitigate cyber risks, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, phishing, and unsafe online communication. Schools are implementing filtering systems and monitoring programs to protect students from these digital threats.