Schools set messaging rules for parent-teacher communication during first semester

Dubai: Several schools have introduced specific guidelines regulating communication between parents and educational staff for the remainder of the first semester of the 2026-2027 academic year. The schools have restricted inquiries via 'Telegram' to text messages only. Teachers are not required to answer calls or listen to voice recordings, either during or outside working hours, and are not obliged to communicate after official working hours. Daily period for checking messages In messages to parents, schools specified a daily period for responding to inquiries from 2pm to 3pm, Monday to Thursday, depending on teachers’ availability, schedules and assigned duties. The messages explained that teachers cannot respond to inquiries during lessons or professional development workshops, to avoid disrupting the educational process or interfering with staff commitments. Parents were asked to clearly state the student’s name, grade and section at the beginning of each message to help teachers identify the student accurately and follow up efficiently. Schools noted that failing to provide this information could delay responses, particularly given the number of classes and the large number of students and families served by each teacher. Not a job requirement outside working hours Schools also asked parents to avoid sending messages in the evening or late at night, stressing that teaching staff are not required to respond outside official working hours. Any response from a teacher during those periods is considered a personal initiative rather than a job requirement or an obligation to remain available around the clock. Families were encouraged to check approved information channels before submitting inquiries. These include the weekly message containing study requirements and examination dates, as well as the student report sheet attached after the book envelope, which allows parents to monitor grades and academic achievement. Reducing repetitive inquiries Schools said referring to these sources would help reduce repetitive inquiries and give parents direct access to information about assignments, tests and grades, while keeping communication with teachers available for matters requiring further clarification or individual follow-up. Parents were also asked to allow teachers sufficient time to respond and avoid sending the same message repeatedly, taking into account their lessons, educational and professional development duties, and responsibility for monitoring large numbers of students across multiple classes. New communication rules The schools explained that the new guidelines are intended to create more organised and effective communication between schools and families, protect classroom time and allow teachers to focus on their educational responsibilities. They also aim to establish clear boundaries for professional communication, preserving families’ ability to follow up on students while ensuring teachers’ work obligations do not extend beyond official working hours. Schools stressed that an effective partnership with parents is not measured by the number of messages exchanged or the speed of an immediate response. Instead, it depends on clear communication channels, precise inquiries, adherence to designated timings and effective use of the periodic reports and bulletins provided by schools to monitor students’ performance and academic requirements.