Key takeaways
- From January 2026, secondary school students can't use phones or smartwatches at any time in school hours, including recess and CCAs.
- MOE asks schools to keep devices in designated storage such as lockers, or in school bags. Each school sets its own arrangements.
- Schools use school-bag rules, collection bags and phone lockers. The main costs are teacher time at collection and return, and tracking whose phone is where.
- A numbered, keyless locker that any authorised teacher can open keeps phones accounted for and avoids delays at dismissal.
What MOE's rules say
MOE announced on 30 November 2025 that, from January 2026, the existing ban on phone use during lessons would cover all of school hours in secondary schools. That includes recess, CCAs, and supplementary, enrichment and remedial lessons.
- Smartwatches are included, because they can send messages and run apps. POSB Smart Buddy watches may still be worn for payments.
- Devices must be kept in designated storage areas such as lockers, or in school bags.
- Schools can allow use as an exception where needed.
- Parents with urgent matters can call the school's General Office, and students can use the General Office phone.
MOE has given school leaders implementation guidelines and examples of good practice, but each school decides its own storage and discipline arrangements.
How schools are doing it
Published school notices show a range of approaches:
- Designated lockers: phones go in after morning assembly and come out at dismissal. Students caught using a phone have it confiscated.
- Collection bags first, lockers later: one school started with form teachers collecting phones in labelled bags kept in a central room, which delayed dismissal by 15 to 30 minutes while phones were returned. It planned to move to numbered lockers.
- Classroom phone lockers: some schools have used them for years.
- School bags: the simplest option, but parents and teachers note that phones in bags are easy to take out.
Storage options compared
| Option | Upfront cost | Daily teacher time | Accountability | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phones stay in bags | None | Low | Low | Easy to break the rule unseen |
| Collection bags or boxes | Low | High | Medium, depends on labelling | Slow returns; mix-ups; where to store bags safely |
| Lockers with keys or number locks | Medium | Medium | High | Lost keys, shared codes, waiting for the keyholder |
| Keyless OTP phone locker | Medium | Low | High: numbered slots | Needs a one-time setup per class |
Source: Avelogic analysis of storage options
What to look for in a phone locker
- Capacity per class: enough numbered slots for the largest class, ideally matching register numbers.
- Access control: no keys to lose, and no single teacher who must be present to open it.
- Phone protection: dividers that keep phones upright and stop scratching.
- Flexibility: wall-mounted for a fixed classroom, or portable for classes that move.
- Procurement: a supplier on GeBIZ under the right supply head makes buying simpler.
A simple daily routine
- At the start of the day, the form teacher opens the locker and students place phones in their numbered slots.
- The teacher checks for empty slots against the register and locks the locker.
- The locker stays closed through recess, CCAs and supplementary lessons.
- At dismissal, the last-period teacher opens it and students collect their own phones.
Avelogic Phone Locker
A keyless 45-slot locker opened by a teacher's 6-digit OTP, built for MOE's phone-free school hours and available through GeBIZ.
Frequently asked questions
Are phones banned in Singapore secondary schools?
From January 2026, secondary school students may not use smartphones or smartwatches during school hours, including recess, CCAs and supplementary lessons. Devices must be kept in designated storage such as lockers, or in school bags.
Are smartwatches included in MOE's rules?
Yes, because they can message and run apps. POSB Smart Buddy watches may still be worn for payments.
How do schools store students' phones?
Approaches include phones kept in bags, collection bags or boxes, lockers with keys or number locks, and keyless phone lockers with numbered slots. Each school chooses its own.
Can a phone locker be bought through GeBIZ?
Yes, from approved suppliers. Avelogic is an approved Government Supplier under Supply Head EPU/FUR/10 (Furniture & Racking).
Sources
Information sourced from
Figures and rules in this article come from the official sources listed below and other published sources, checked on 13 October 2026. Avelogic is not affiliated with these agencies. For the authoritative and latest position, refer to the agency directly.
- MOE press release: Enhanced measures to promote healthier screen use (30 Nov 2025)
- MOE parliamentary reply: Smartphone ban in secondary schools from 2026
- Punggol Secondary School: Handphone policy
- Bukit Merah Secondary School: Principal's message, Semester 1 2026 (PDF)
- NIE / CNA: As secondary schools tighten smartphone use
This guide is general information based on official sources at the date shown, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so check the CPF Board, IRAS, MOM or MOE for the latest position.