Contact Your Child During School Hours (2026 MOE Phone Ban)
01 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
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Q: What does Contact Your Child During School Hours (2026 MOE Phone Ban) cover?
A: A practical contact plan for parents and students when phones are stored during school hours, plus a simple checklist you can reuse before term starts.
TL;DR
\- From January 2026, secondary school students cannot use phones during school hours; devices are stored, and exceptions are school-approved.
\- Agree on pick-up points, a backup adult, and a no-phone contingency plan before term starts.
\- Save the school office contact and know how your school handles urgent messages.
Status: MOE press release on enhanced screen-use measures last checked 2026-01-01.
1 The key rule that changes contact habits
MOE's January 2026 measures for secondary schools mean smartphones and smartwatches cannot be used during school hours (including recess, CCAs, and supplementary/enrichment/remedial lessons). Devices stay in lockers or school bags, and schools may allow use only by exception when necessary. That is why parents and students need a clear school-hours contact plan. MOE press release (30 Nov 2025)
2 Build a school-hours contact plan (quick checklist)
- Confirm the school's process. Ask how urgent messages are passed to students and what counts as an exception.
- Set pick-up locations and times. Decide where to meet on normal days and what changes on CCA days.
- Choose a backup adult. Agree on one other trusted adult who can pick up or relay messages if you are unavailable.
- Write a short contingency plan. Keep a one-sentence plan your child can remember if schedules change.
- Store the school contact. Save the school office number and email in your phone contacts so you can reach the right channel quickly.
3 What to do for urgent changes
For urgent changes (late pick-ups, sudden appointments, or emergencies), use the school-approved contact route rather than relying on your child's phone. The 2026 guidelines allow exceptions when necessary, but the school decides how exceptions are approved, so it helps to confirm the exact process in advance. MOE press release (30 Nov 2025)
4 Ready-to-use message templates
Parent to child (before school)
"If plans change, go to the agreed pick-up point and wait. If it is urgent, go to the school office and ask them to contact me."
