Ho Chi Minh City proposes ban on student phone use in schools
WVR - The Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City is considering a ban on students using mobile phones during both class time and recess.
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| Ho Chi Minh City proposes ban on student phone use in schools. (Photo: Chau Phuc) |
This proposal was put forward by Mr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, during a recent briefing session following the merger of the Education Departments of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau.
Mr. Hieu instructed the Division of Student Affairs to develop a plan that prohibits students from using mobile phones during break times and in any school activities—except when expressly permitted by a subject teacher for learning purposes. He also requested a plan to organize more recess-time activities to encourage student interaction and promote physical exercise in the 2025–2026 school year.
Phone banning has already been implemented at many schools in Ho Chi Minh City. Previously, numerous public and private schools in the former Ho Chi Minh City area prohibited mobile phone use on school campuses, including during recess. Examples include Thanh Loc High School and Truong Chinh High School.
Schools such as Nguyen Thuong Hien High School, Le Thanh Tong Inter-level School, and Nguyen Khuyen High School have long banned mobile phone use not only within school grounds but also in boarding areas—including during meals, break time, and naptime.
Last year, Hanoi's Department of Education and Training also banned phone use in classrooms. The department instructed school principals and education institutions to implement the Ministry of Education and Training's regulation on mobile phone use issued on September 15, 2020.
Particularly, depending on the school's conditions, administrators and teachers are to collect and manage students' phones and wireless devices before the first period of the day (specific to each class) and return them only after the school day ends.
If a lesson requires the use of phones or wireless devices, students must obtain permission from the teacher before bringing them into class.
Schools are strictly prohibited from allowing students to use phones during lessons unless it is for educational purposes and with the teacher’s approval.
