Several schools in the UAE have set parent-teacher communication rules for the rest of the first term of the 2026-2027 school year. Parents may only send text messages through the Telegram app, and teachers will not answer calls or listen to voice notes, according to messages the schools sent to families. Emarat Al Youm, the Arabic daily that saw these messages, did not name the schools or mention any instruction from an education authority.
Key points
- Questions go by text message on Telegram only. Calls and voice notes will not be answered.
- Teachers check messages from 2pm to 3pm, Monday to Thursday.
- Every message should start with the student’s name, grade and section.
- Teachers do not have to reply after official working hours.
What do the new messaging rules say?
The schools set a daily window of 2pm to 3pm, Monday to Thursday, for teachers to follow up on messages, depending on their timetables and other duties. Teachers cannot reply during lessons or professional development workshops, so that one to one messages do not interrupt teaching.
Parents are asked to write the student’s name, grade and section clearly at the start of every message. The schools warned that leaving these details out could slow down a reply, since each teacher deals with several classes and a large number of students and families.
Can parents message teachers in the evening?
The schools asked families to avoid sending messages in the evening or late at night. Teachers are not required to reply outside official working hours. If a teacher does answer during that time, it is a personal choice, not part of the job or a promise to be available around the clock.
What should parents check before sending a question?
Before writing to a teacher, families are asked to check the school’s own channels. The first is the weekly message, which lists study requirements and test dates. The second is the student report sheet attached after the book cover, which shows grades and progress. The schools said this should cut down on repeated questions and leave direct contact with teachers for matters that need more explanation or individual follow up.
Parents were also asked to give teachers enough time to reply and not to send the same message more than once.
Why did these schools set communication rules?
The schools said the parent-teacher communication rules aim to make contact between home and school more organised, protect lesson time and let teachers focus on teaching. They also aim to set clear professional boundaries that respect a family’s right to follow up and a teacher’s right not to have work stretch beyond working hours. An effective partnership with parents, they said, is not measured by the number of messages or how fast replies come, but by clear channels, precise questions and keeping to the agreed times.
What should parents do now?
If your child’s school has sent similar guidance, note the reply window and put the student’s details at the top of each message. Rules can differ from one school to another, so follow what your own school sends. For general reading not related to these rules, families in Dubai who are choosing a school can see our guide to outstanding schools in Dubai, which lists KHDA ratings and fees, and our breakdown of the cost of living in Dubai, which includes what families spend on education.
Main image: A parent sending a text message to a teacher (illustrative image).
For more news from across the Emirates, see our UAE section.