Can I just text/call my child during recess or between lessons?

From January 2026, MOE states that smartphone and smartwatch use is not allowed during school hours in secondary schools, including recess. Plan to use your school's approved contact route instead. MOE press release

What if plans change on a CCA day?

MOE explicitly includes CCAs within the school-hours restriction. Ask your school what it considers the end of school hours on CCA/enrichment days, and use the school's urgent-message process when needed. MOE press release

Will schools allow students to use phones by exception to contact parents?

MOE states that schools may allow phone use by exception when necessary. The approval process is school-specific, so confirm your school's policy (for example, whether students can be directed to the general office for urgent calls). MOE press release

Contact Your Child During School Hours (2026 MOE Phone Ban)

Study guide01 Jan 2026, 00:00 ZUpdated 08 Jan 2026

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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's enhanced screen-use press release remains the official source for the January 2026 secondary-school phone and smartwatch rules; the MOE page was last updated on 8 Jan 2026.

Quick contact map

TL;DR: Do not rely on your child's phone during school hours.
Contact plan checklist: Save the school route, pickup point, and backup adult.
Urgent changes and templates: Use the school-approved channel and a short clear message.

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.

Concrete example: a simple family plan

If CCA ends late and pickup plans change, the student goes to the agreed pickup point first. If nobody arrives after the agreed waiting time, the student goes to the general office or the school-approved contact point instead of trying to use a stored phone.