End of the 2nd quarter 2026 — Mobile phones at school: from ban to controlled use

Education (Control and use of personal mobile devices in school premises) Regulations, amended, endorsed by the Council of Ministers

Vikash Ramdonee (UDRRU): “A meeting as soon as possible to clarify the guidelines”

Announced for the start of the second quarter, the regulation governing the use of mobile phones and other connected objects was finally on the agenda of the Council of Ministers on Friday. That is, at the end of the second trimester. A significant change was thus noted. While initially there was talk of banning smartphones at school, it is now a question of controlled use. A situation which raises many questions among rectors, who are awaiting clarification.

“Students will not be allowed to use personal mobile devices on school premises without prior authorization. They may bring mobile devices to school only where they remain switched to silent mode and securely stored throughout the school day. "In light of this information in Friday's Cabinet Decisions, students will be able to bring their cell phones to school, provided they are on silent mode and kept in their bags or pockets.

There is no question here of collecting laptops, class by class, as demonstrated during a visit by the Minister of Education, Mahend Gungapersad, to Curepipe College at the beginning of last year. We will have to wait for the publication of the Regulations to know all the details. Still, the word “ban” does not appear in the council of ministers document. At the Ministry of Education, it is specified that “adjustments” were made to the initial project following the consultations.

It is however specified that these new regulations, which concern both students and staff, aim to “strengthen discipline, preserve the well-being of learners and improve academic results in all primary and secondary schools in Mauritius. »

Exceptions will be made for those who must have their phones within reach for medical reasons. However, this must be proven by a medical certificate. Diabetic students with a continuous glucose monitor connected to their phones, for example, are affected.

We remember that after the presentation of the initial project, where it was a question of banning Smart Devices, there was an outcry from teachers. The latter had listed a series of personal and professional reasons justifying the need to have their mobile phones at school.

Indeed, after the first meeting with the heads of establishment where the question of “ban” was discussed, a second meeting, led by the Senior Chief Executive of the ministry, it's ten