Phone-free spaces in schools: classrooms, halls and assemblies

This resource helps schools translate “no phone use” expectations into operational clarity: where phones are not used, what students do on entry, and how staff verify compliance quickly.

Start with a clear definition

MOE has described an approach where schools develop mobile device rules based on student profiles and needs, rather than a single blanket rule across all schools. In practice, schools typically define phone-free spaces (for example, classrooms during lessons, assembly venues, selected common areas, and exam settings) and communicate when phones are allowed again.

Make compliance visible and simple to check

Many school handbooks describe expectations such as devices switched off and kept out of sight during curriculum time. The operational challenge is making compliance easy to verify in the moment. Clear routines reduce negotiation, reduce exceptions, and make expectations predictable for students.

How the SG School Phone Pouch Programme supports phone-free spaces

Once phone-free spaces are defined, schools often benefit from a repeatable routine that can be applied consistently across different settings. The SG School Phone Pouch Programme is designed around a simple routine: phones go into a personal locked pouch on entry to phone-free spaces, and unlock only at approved times using an unlocking base.

For implementation detail, use how to manage phone usage in three steps and the implementation guide for planning spaces, quantities and base locations. For leadership teams comparing options, see the full phone pouches vs phone lockers comparison.