DUBAI, Jan 18:  Schools across the UAE have tightened controls on student health, urging parents not to send any medication with their children during the school day, except in strictly regulated medical cases.

Administrations at several government and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum said the measure aims to protect students and reduce health risks linked to the unsupervised use of medicines on school premises.

In notices to parents, schools warned that allowing students to carry medication could lead to unintended consequences, including incorrect dosages, improper use, or the sharing of medicines among pupils. Such practices, they said, pose serious risks given differences in medical conditions and individual responses to treatment.

The ban is not absolute. Students with chronic or specific medical needs are exempt, provided parents submit an official medical prescription from the treating doctor. Documentation must clearly state the student’s name, the prescribed medication, dosage, and timing of administration.

In these cases, medicines are handled through defined procedures. Approved medications are stored securely and administered only under the supervision of school management or qualified health staff, ensuring students receive treatment safely during the school day.

School administrators said the policy is part of a health and safety framework designed to promote awareness, prevent emergencies, and minimise practices that could endanger students. They emphasised that student wellbeing is a core priority alongside academic achievement.

Schools also called on parents to fully cooperate with the guidelines, stressing that an effective partnership between families and schools is essential to safeguarding children.