UAE students learn in phone-free schools at higher rate
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is controlling phone use in schools more effectively than most developed nations. PISA 2025 data shows 90.1% of UAE students attend schools prohibiting phones, almost double the 49.5% rate in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
Experts and educators in the UAE believe restricting phones improves learning by reducing distractions. The country’s students use digital devices for schoolwork an average of 1.9 hours daily, slightly more than the OECD average of 1.7 hours.
This move aligns with a global trend, with 114 education systems, covering 58% of countries worldwide, now implementing national phone bans. Data reveals that 23% of UAE students report classmates being frequently distracted by devices in science class, leading to a 24-point lower science score compared to students without that distraction. This difference is larger than the 11-point gap observed in OECD countries.
The UAE is reinforcing these policies with tighter controls and expanding the use of educational technology, aiming to limit distractions from personal devices while promoting beneficial tech integration. The UAE also emphasizes teaching students how to evaluate information from artificial intelligence, with 81.7% of students receiving this instruction. Families are considered essential partners in this effort, with schools and authorities working to enforce phone bans and create a safe, focused learning environment.
