Aceh Restricts School Smartphone Use for Students and Teachers

RRI.CO.ID, Banda Aceh - The Aceh Provincial Administration has officially enforced a strict smartphone restriction policy targeting both students and faculty across high schools. This policy aims as a decisive move to reclaim the classroom from digital distractions.

The regulation, effective February 10, 2026, aims to transform the educational landscape into a more focused and secure environment. Simultaneously, it ensures that digital tools remain integrated for specific academic purposes.

The policy, formalized under Circular Letter (SE) Number 100.3.4/1772/2026, mandates that all students have to hand over their mobile devices to designated homeroom teachers or school staff in silent mode before the first bell rings.

"This circular aims to create a conducive, safe, and high-quality school environment. Furthermore, this policy encourages adaptation to the digital ecosystem by optimizing gadgets specifically as learning resources," said Murthalamuddin, the Acting Head of the Aceh Education Agency, as quoted by Antara.

Under these new guidelines, students are only permitted to retrieve their devices once all primary and co-curricular activities have concluded. Exceptions are strictly limited to specialized learning scenarios where a "one student, one device" ratio is required and the school’s internal facilities are insufficient. 

"Gadget use is limited to the duration of the learning requirement. Once the use of the gadget is finished, it must be returned to the counseling teacher in silent mode," added Murthalamuddin.

The restriction extends beyond the student body, imposing similar professional standards on educators and administrative staff. Teachers are prohibited from using personal devices during core teaching hours for any purpose unrelated to the curriculum. 

Staff are strictly authorized to use gadgets only for instructional purposes, such as digital presentations or student assessments. Any personal use of devices must be confined to specifically designated areas.

The provincial administration believes that centralizing storage through counseling teachers will improve the management of technology in schools. This system aims to create a better balance between digital tools and traditional learning methods.

"Therefore, we deem it necessary to have specific regulations regarding the utilization of gadgets within the Aceh educational unit environment. This policy will be implemented comprehensively across all educational units in Aceh," emphasized Murthalamuddin. ***