Students may bring phones to school; class use limited —DepEd-7

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education in Central Visayas (DepEd-7) clarified that students may bring cellphones to school under the department’s existing policy. But their use in classrooms is only allowed when it supports learning and with the teacher’s supervision.

The clarification was made during the Kapihan sa PIA on Tuesday, July 7, following questions from the media regarding the proposed ban on cellphones in schools in Dumanjug municipality under Mayor Efren “Gungun” Gica.

Regional Director Arturo Bayocot said DepEd Order No. 6, series of 2026, under the Matatag Agenda, does not impose a total ban on students bringing cellphones to school.

READ: Cebu City Council backs cellphone regulation over ban in schools

“DepEd Order No. 6 of 2026 which we called ESMLE, Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment, does not declare a total ban [on] cellphones. Kasi (because) we are already in the technology era,” Bayocot said.

Educational purposes

However, he emphasized that students are prohibited from using their phones during instructional time unless these are required by the teacher for learning activities.

“Ang DepEd has provisions in that DepEd Order na pinagbabawal ang gamit ng cellphones during instructional time. When the teacher is teaching, and is not using cellphone, bawal talaga gumamit ng cellphones,” he said.

(The DepEd order provides that the use of cellphones is prohibited during instructional time. When the teacher is conducting the lesson and the cellphone is not being used for instruction, students are not allowed to use their cellphones.)

READ: Dumanjug bans cellphones in schools starting June 25

Bayocot said schools are given the flexibility to implement measures that minimize distraction in the classroom.

“We do not impose on them, ‘This is what you should do.’ We empower them. For example, kokolektahin ang phones, tapos after the class isusuli sa bata, to ensure that they are not tempted to open Facebook or whatever platforms at naka-focus talaga sa tinuturo ng teacher or sa aralin,” he said.

(We do not impose a single approach on schools. Instead, we empower them to decide what works best. For example, some schools collect students’ phones before class and return them afterward to ensure they are not tempted to open Facebook or other platforms and can focus on the teacher’s lesson.)

Essential for learning

Bayocot, however, emphasized that gadgets have become essential learning tools in today’s classrooms. Technology-driven lessons, he pointed out, require internet access for research and other educational activities.

“There are also instances na dapat gamitin ang cellphone sa pagkatuto ng bata. For example, if it’s a technology-driven teaching, then students need the internet to do research and the topic currently discussing is talaga gagamitin nila.Nag-iisip nga tayo, nagtatrabaho tayo na mabigyan lahat ng eskwelahan ng internet”, he said.

(There are also instances when cellphones should be used for learning. For example, in technology-driven instruction, students need internet access to conduct research on the topic being discussed. In fact, we are working to provide internet access to all schools.)

E-learning

Bayocot also cited Khan Academy, an electronic learning platform already in use in schools nationwide, including those in Central Visayas. It is an example, he said, of how digital technology supports classroom instruction.

“So meron din tayong tinatawag na programa Khan Academy, which is an electronic platform used in many schools already in the whole Philippines. In Central Visayas is also doing that. Sa pagtuturo ng Khan Academy, maganda kasi, kasi lahat ng exercises, lahat ng instructions nandon na sa platforms. The teacher has to guide to go that site. So sa Khan Academy hindi mangyayari ‘yan kung wala talagang gamit ng gadgets. Kailangan lang talaga i-regulate,” he said.

(We also have the Khan Academy program, an electronic learning platform already being used in many schools across the Philippines, including in Central Visayas. It is effective because all the exercises and instructions are available on the platform, while teachers guide students in using it. Programs like Khan Academy would not be possible without gadgets. They simply need to be properly regulated.)

In case of emergency

Bayocot also said allowing students to bring phones to school is important during emergencies.

“Kapag pinagbawal natin ang pagdala ng phone, paano mako-contact ng nanay ang anak? Kapag may narinig ang nanay na may putukan doon, Unang ginagawa ng Nanay instinct is to reach out to the kid. So kung walang cellphone, ‘di mako-contact,” he said.

(If we prohibit students from bringing their phones, how can a mother contact her child? If a parent hears about a shooting, a mother’s first instinct is to reach out to her child. Without a cellphone, that would not be possible.)

No EO in Dumanjug

Addressing reports of a possible cellphone restriction in Dumanjug, Bayocot said no executive order or official memorandum has been issued by the local government.

“In fairness naman, wala pa namang lumabas na Executive Order,” he said.

(To be fair, no Executive Order has been issued yet.)

Asked whether DepEd’s policy would prevail over any local directive, Bayocot said: “It doesn’t have to compete. It’s called complementarity. Our policy should be complemented by the policy of the LGU. Parehas lang naman ang layunin natin eh—safety and security,” he said.

Bayocot added that DepEd officials continue to coordinate with local government units to ensure that school policies promote both learners’ safety and effective teaching and learning.

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