CaliToday (12/12/2025): As Singapore prepares to implement a definitive ban on mobile device usage in schools starting in early 2026, a fierce debate has ignited within Vietnam’s education sector. Policymakers, educators, and parents find themselves at a crossroads: Should Vietnam follow its neighbor's lead to curb digital distraction, or does the current "open" policy better serve a tech-savvy generation?
The Catalyst: The "Singapore Model"
Singapore’s upcoming policy is not just a guideline; it is a systematic restriction aimed at combating screen addiction and cyberbullying. For Vietnam, this regional shift acts as a mirror. With the 2026 academic year approaching, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) is facing mounting pressure to revisit its own stance, currently governed by Circular 32.
The Current Landscape: The "Circular 32" Dilemma
Since 2020, Vietnam has operated under Circular 32, which technically removed the blanket ban on mobile phones. Instead, it allowed students to use phones in class "for learning purposes and with the teacher's permission."
However, after five years of implementation, the results are mixed:
The Reality: Many teachers report that the line between "learning tool" and "distraction" is impossible to police. A student looking at a screen could be researching history or scrolling through TikTok.
The Burden: Educators feel overburdened, forced to act as "tech police" rather than facilitators of knowledge.
The Great Debate: Two Sides of the Screen
The discussion in Vietnam has split public opinion into two distinct camps:
1. The Pro-Ban Camp (The "Digital Detox" Advocates)
Support for a strict ban is growing, particularly among veteran educators and concerned psychologists.
Focus & Retention: Studies cited by domestic universities show that the mere presence of a phone on a desk reduces cognitive capacity.
Socialization: Proponents argue that recess periods once filled with sports and conversation are now silent, dominated by students glued to screens.
Cyberbullying: Schools like the Marie Curie School in Hanoi have long maintained strict bans, citing a safer mental health environment for students.
"We aren't just fighting distraction; we are fighting for the students' ability to connect with the real world. A ban isn't a punishment; it's a liberation." A Principal from a High School in Ho Chi Minh City.
2. The Anti-Ban Camp (The "Integration" Advocates)
Many parents and tech-forward educators argue that a total ban is a step backward in a country striving for digital transformation.
Safety & Logistics: In major cities like Hanoi and HCMC, parents rely on phones to track children’s locations and coordinate ride-hailing pickups (Grab/Be) amidst chaotic traffic.
Digital Literacy: They argue that banning phones doesn't teach self-control. Instead, schools should teach students how to use technology responsible.
Educational Resources: For many students, the phone is their primary dictionary, calculator, and research portal.
The Likely Path Forward: A Hybrid Approach?
Unlike Singapore’s top-down approach, experts predict Vietnam might adopt a "flexible strictness" rather than a total nationwide prohibition in 2026.
Potential solutions currently being piloted in several provinces include:
The "Locker" System: Students surrender phones at the gate or homeroom and retrieve them only when leaving school.
Yondr Pouches: The use of magnetically locked pouches that keep phones with the student but unusable during class hours.
Zone Restrictions: Allowing usage only in specific "tech zones" or libraries, while banning them in classrooms and hallways.
Conclusion
As 2025 draws to a close, the question remains: Is the smartphone a portal to knowledge or a barrier to learning? While Singapore has made its choice, Vietnam is searching for a middle ground that balances the necessity of technology with the sanctity of the classroom. The decision made in the coming months will shape the learning habits of millions of Vietnamese students for the decade to come.