Students in Malaysia are still not permitted to freely bring or use personal devices such as mobile phones on school premises, despite the continued expansion of digital education initiatives.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the existing ban remains in force to ensure schools remain safe, conducive and supportive of students’ overall wellbeing, according to a report by the New Straits Times.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Dewan Negara, Fadhlina explained that the policy prioritises student safety and discipline.
However, she said the Ministry of Education (MOE) acknowledges the growing importance of digital learning and allows limited use of personal devices under specific conditions.
She noted that a circular issued in 2018 provides clear guidelines permitting students to bring personal devices to school strictly for teaching and learning purposes.
The guidelines outline usage conditions, regulatory procedures and clearly defined responsibilities for students, teachers and school administrators.
“These measures are intended to prevent misuse, including access to inappropriate content, screen addiction and excessive online gaming,” she said.
Fadhlina added that the ministry collaborates with other agencies, including the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the police, to promote responsible device use through intervention and awareness programmes.
While recognising current digital learning needs, she stressed that any use of personal devices in schools must be conducted responsibly and with integrity.
The minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening teachers’ digital competencies to help them guide students through ongoing changes in education.
She cited the Digital Educational Learning Initiative Malaysia (DELIMA) platform as a key example of successful digital implementation, noting that as of November, active usage had reached 99 per cent among teachers and 64 per cent among students nationwide.
