Malaysia’s Education Ministry has reaffirmed that students are not permitted to freely bring or use mobile phones on school premises, despite the growing integration of digital tools in education. The longstanding ban on personal devices remains in force, with only narrowly defined exceptions allowed under strict supervision and clear guidelines.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek explained that the policy continues to prioritise student safety, discipline, and overall well-being. Schools, she noted, must remain secure and focused environments, free from distractions that could undermine learning or expose students to harmful online content. While digital education is expanding nationwide, unrestricted access to mobile phones is still viewed as incompatible with these objectives.
At the same time, the ministry has acknowledged that modern teaching and learning increasingly rely on digital platforms. To address this reality, a circular issued in 2018 allows students to bring personal devices to school under specific circumstances, strictly for educational purposes. Such use is subject to approval by school authorities and must align with structured lesson plans.
The guidelines set out detailed conditions governing device usage, including when and where phones may be used, how they should be monitored, and who bears responsibility for compliance. Clear roles are assigned to students, teachers, and school administrators to ensure accountability and prevent misuse. These safeguards are intended to reduce risks such as exposure to inappropriate material, excessive screen time, online gaming during school hours, and digital addiction.
To strengthen enforcement and awareness, the Education Ministry works closely with other agencies, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the police. Joint initiatives focus on digital literacy, responsible online behaviour, and early intervention when problems arise. These efforts aim to strike a balance between embracing technology and protecting students from its potential harms.
Teachers, the minister emphasised, play a central role in managing this transition. Enhancing educator competency remains a priority, enabling teachers to guide students effectively in using digital tools in a disciplined and meaningful way. Professional development programmes are being expanded to ensure educators are equipped to integrate technology without compromising classroom control or student focus.
The ministry also highlighted the growing adoption of its DELIMA digital learning platform as evidence of progress in structured digital education. By November, the platform had recorded active usage among nearly all teachers and a majority of students nationwide, reflecting steady uptake within the school system.
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