Dubai and Sharjah schools tell parents not to photograph other pupils
In short
Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to take photographs or videos on campus where other students or staff may be captured without consent, and not to share such images on WhatsApp groups, social media or other platforms. The guidance covers classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and drop-off and pick-up areas. Schools say photography will continue at designated events, with official school photography continuing under existing consent and safeguarding procedures.
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Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to take photographs or videos on school premises where other students or staff may be captured without their consent, and not to share pictures or clips showing other students on WhatsApp groups, social media or other digital platforms. The request covers classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and drop-off and pick-up areas, according to the circulars shared with Gulf News by parents. Gulf News reported the circulars came from schools in Dubai and Sharjah, while Lovin Dubai and The National described the measures as applying to Dubai schools. Arabian Business reported that a recent circular sent to parents by a Dubai school clarified the rules. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Gulf News named several schools. GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Boys addressed the issue in a circular headed “Protecting Our Students' Privacy”; principal and CEO Srivalsan Murugan said the safety, privacy and wellbeing of every child remain the school's highest priority, and the school cited “UAE privacy requirements and recent guidance being reinforced across private schools.” GEMS Winchester School – Dubai issued a circular with the same message, signed by CEO and Executive Principal Matthew James Lecuyer. The International School of Choueifat – Sharjah said it had come to the school's attention that some parents were taking photos and videos on campus, including of their own children and other students, and sharing them through WhatsApp groups and social media, and reminded parents that photographing or filming on regular school days is strictly prohibited throughout the school day. [ 1 ]
Lovin Dubai said the guidance was not intended to stop parents from capturing their own children's milestones. Schools are asking families to follow specific arrangements at events and to use designated opportunities for photography, and official school photography will continue under existing consent and safeguarding procedures. A circular seen by The National told parents that photography will continue to be allowed at designated events but that clearer guidance would be provided on when and where images could be taken, adding: “Thank you for helping us keep our school community safe, respectful and protective of every child's privacy.” [ 2 , 3 ]
The National reported the background rules. Under federal law, personal data cannot be processed without consent except in specific circumstances set out in the legislation, which also sets requirements around the confidentiality, security and protection of personal information. Dubai private schools are also required under the emirate's regulatory framework to safeguard and preserve pupils' rights. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority guidance treats photography as a privacy issue, with current protocols for private schools stating that photographing pupils in vulnerable situations violates their privacy and that taking photos during emergencies is prohibited. Parents in Dubai spoken to by The National broadly said they support tighter rules, particularly because images can be easily shared online. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The circulars push school-gate photography — a routine habit for parents — into the same consent framework that UAE law and Dubai's education regulator already apply to personal data, so families may face clearer limits on what they can shoot and share. Because images posted to WhatsApp groups or social media can be reshared widely, schools frame the rules as protecting pupils who appear in the background of someone else's picture. The documents give no indication of penalties for parents who do not comply.
Key facts
- Schools in Dubai and Sharjah issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to take photographs or videos on campus where other students or staff may be captured without consent. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The guidance covers classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and drop-off and pick-up areas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Parents were also asked not to share images or videos featuring other pupils on WhatsApp groups, social media or other digital platforms without permission. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The International School of Choueifat – Sharjah told parents that taking photos or videos on regular school days is strictly prohibited and that the rule applies throughout the school day. [ 1 ]
- GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Boys said in a circular headed “Protecting Our Students' Privacy” that the safety, privacy and wellbeing of every child remain its highest priority, according to principal and CEO Srivalsan Murugan. [ 1 ]
- A circular from GEMS Winchester School – Dubai carried the same message and was signed by CEO and Executive Principal Matthew James Lecuyer. [ 1 ]
- Schools said photography would continue at designated events, with official school photography continuing under existing consent and safeguarding procedures. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The National reported that under federal law personal data cannot be processed without consent except in specific circumstances, and that Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority treats photography of pupils in vulnerable situations as a violation of their privacy. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Schools in Dubai issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film children other than their own, or staff, without consent, and not to share such images online. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The guidance applies to classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies, drop-off and pick-up areas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the circulars amount to a new ban or a reinforcement of existing privacy rules, and whether they apply across the UAE or to Dubai and Sharjah only. Gulf News reported circulars from schools in Dubai and Sharjah, while Lovin Dubai and The National described the measures as applying to Dubai schools; no regulator announcement is cited in the documents.
- The full text and scope of the individual circulars. Gulf News' article text is cut off mid-sentence and Arabian Business is available only as a one-line feed summary, so the complete wording of the circulars is not in the documents.
- Whether any penalties or enforcement measures follow from the guidance. None of the documents mention consequences for parents or visitors who do not comply.
- Photography remains allowed at designated school events and official school photography continues under existing consent and safeguarding procedures. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Gulf News reports that schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film on campus or share images of other students. [ 1 ]
- Lovin Dubai reports that Dubai schools are reminding parents to think twice before taking photos or videos where other students or staff appear in the frame. [ 2 ]
- The National reports that Dubai schools have tightened photo and video rules, citing federal data-protection law and KHDA privacy protocols. [ 3 ]
- Arabian Business reports that a recent circular sent to parents by a Dubai school clarified the rules. [ 4 ]