UAE schools bring back textbooks, ban laptops for Grade 6 students

Schools in the UAE will reintroduce textbooks and ban laptops for Grade 6 students starting tomorrow, as part of a new initiative to reduce digital tool usage in learning. The "Guide to Reducing the Use of Digital Tools in Learning" has been adopted across Cycle 2 schools nationwide for Grade 6 students. Students will be prohibited from bringing laptops and other digital devices to school, with VPN applications and private virtual platforms also restricted on school premises.

Emphasis will be placed on the use of textbooks and notebooks, encouraging handwriting, classroom discussions, and direct interaction with teachers. Laptop use at home will be limited to specific educational needs, as per individual subject requirements. The measures aim to strengthen students' relationship with books while providing families with a direct role in regulating technology use at home.

Parents must ensure device use is linked to an actual school assignment, set appropriate time limits for educational platforms, and avoid unrestricted device use under the pretext of completing homework. Government schools are identifying students without ministry-issued laptops to ensure proper equipment for appropriate grades, while private schools have also banned VPN applications and restricted access to virtual platforms.