NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Third Regular Session 
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SENATE
S.B. No. 2706
■ '■ 
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24 JUN-4 P3 5
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Introduced by SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF MOBILE DEVICES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC 
GADGETS DURING CLASS HOURS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO SENIOR 
HIGH SCHOOL IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall “[ejstablish, 
maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of 
education relevant to the needs of the people and society”.1
The use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets is gradually becoming 
a compelling learning tool used to enhance teaching and learning in education. 
Its usage ensures flexible course delivery and makes it possible for learners to 
access online learning platforms and course resources and interact digitally.2 
However, technological advancements such as mobile phones and other 
electronic devices can cause distractions that could adversely impact learning, 
especially among learners at the basic education level.
1 Section 2(1), Article XIV.
2 Darko-Adjei, N. The Use and Effect of Smartphones in Students’ Learning Activities: Evidence 
from the University of Ghana, Legon. Department of Information Studies, University of 
Nebraska - Lincoln, 2019.


Empirical studies from other eountries have revealed that excessive use 
of mobile devices negatively affects learner performance in two ways3. First, it 
affects performance directly as greater use of a phone while studying is 
correlated with greater negative impact on grades or scores. Second, it affects 
performance indirectly because the learners’ skills and cognitive abilities 
needed for aeademie suceess are also negatively affected by excessive phone 
use. An analysis4 of the Philippine data from the Programme for International 
Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 showed that 8 in every 10 Filipino learners 
aged 15 reported that they got distracted in class by using their smartphones, 
and 8 in every 10 also reported that they got distracted in elass by other 
students who are using smartphones. Further analysis revealed that 
distraction due to smartphone use during class is correlated with a decrease 
in performance of about 9.3 points in mathematics, 12.2 points in science, and 
15.04 points in reading.
Aside from decrease in learners’ academic performance, access to such 
devices seems likely to mediate involvement in cyberbullying.5 Hence, the use 
of mobile devices and other electronic gadgets must be restricted, espeeially 
during class hours in order to balance the use of technology and promote 
learning among learners.
Given these negative effects, the 2023 Global Education Monitoring 
Report published by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 
Organization recommended strieter regulation against use of mobile phones in 
class6- 7. The Report found that only 13% of eountries in the world have laws
3 Sunday, O.J., et. al., The Effects of Smartphone Addiction on Learning: A Meta-Analysis. 
2021, https: / /doi.org/10.1016/i.chbr.2021.100114
4 Senate Committee on Basic Education analysis of PISA 2022 data.
5 Englander, E.K., Childhood Access to Technology and Cyberbullying. Journal of Pediatrics 
and Pediatric Medicine, 2019.
6 
2023 Global Education Monitoring by UNESCO (2023), 
https: / /unesdoc.unesco.org/ark: /48223 / pf0000385723 / PDF / 385723eng.pdf.multi
7 World Economic Forum (2023), “UNESCO calls for a ban on phones in schools. Here’s why”, 
https: / /WWW.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/online-learning-digitaTdivide-mobile-phone-
school-education /


partially or fully banning mobile phone use in schools, while 14% of countries 
have policies, strategies, or guidelines for the same purpose.
In support of the need to balance the use of technology and enhance 
learners’ participation and academic performance, the following measures are 
hereby proposed:
(1) Prohibiting the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets by learners 
from Kindergarten to Senior High School within the school premises 
during class hours, and by teachers and faculty members during their 
designated teaching hours in classrooms;
(2) Exceptions to such prohibitions include learning-related exceptions, 
health and well-being-related exceptions, and exceptions related to 
managing risks;
(3) Mandating the Department of Education to formulate and promulgate 
guidelines on the prohibition of the use of mobile devices and electronic 
gadgets while ensuring that private education institutions provide the 
same guidelines; and
(4) Subjecting to sanctions all covered public and private education 
institutions who fail to comply with the provisions of this Act. Learners 
shall likewise be subject to appropriate sanctions provided in the school 
policies.
With the end goal of providing transformative education through the 
strict use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets in schools, the immediate 
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
AEIAN


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;ailia-f
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
of iiiO £;. '■ ft.-rj'
]
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2
24 JUN-4 P3S8
Introduced by SENATOR WIN GATCHALIAN
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF MOBILE DEVICES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC 
GADGETS DURING CLASS HOURS FROM KINDERGARTEN TO SENIOR 
HIGH SCHOOL IN ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Electronic 
Gadget-Free Schools Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote 
and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being 
of our youth and learners. Towards this end, policies must be crafted to 
safeguard their well-being and enhance their potentials and skills through 
eliminating distractions caused by mobile devices and other electronic 
gadgets and protecting them from the unwarranted effects of excessive online 
and gaming use.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following 
terms shall mean:
a. Mobile Device refers to any form of portable electronic devices such as


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but not limited to smartphones, cellular phones, tablet computers, 
pocket personal computer (PC), palmtops, smartwatches, virtual reality 
(VR) headsets, smart glasses, wearable cameras, and other similar 
devices which can store, send, receive, and move data through the 
internet or wireless connection.
b. Electronic Gadget refers to any portable electronic device that can 
enable its user to make calls, capture photos, stream video, and play 
games such as but not limited to laptops, video games consoles, virtual 
reality headsets, smart glasses, wearable cameras and other similar 
contraptions.
SEC. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all public and private 
education institutions offering any level of the basic education curriculum.
SEC. 5. Prohibition on the Use of Mobile Devices and Electronic Gadgets 
by Learners. - The Department of Education (DepEd) shall promulgate 
guidelines on the prohibition of the use of mobile devices and electronic 
gadgets by learners from Kindergarten to Senior High School within the 
school premises during class hours except as provided under Section 7 of this 
Act.
The DepEd shall likewise ensure that private education institutions 
formulate guidelines in accordance with this Act and include the same in 
their respective handbooks and school policies.
School premises shall include classrooms, laboratories, bathrooms, 
gymnasiums, canteens or cafeterias, designated school club rooms, 
swimming pools, teachers’ lounges, and school offices.
SEC. 6. Prohibition on the Use of Mobile Devices and Electronic Gadgets 
by Teachers and Faculty Members. - Teachers and faculty members are 
likewise prohibited from using mobile devices and electronic gadgets during 
their designated teaching hours in classrooms, except as provided under 
Section 7 of this Act.


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SEC. 7. Exceptions. - Mobile devices or electronic gadgets shall not be 
used within the school premises during class hours except on the following:
a. Learning-related exceptions, such as classroom presentations or class- 
based learning activities, requiring the use of such technologies, or for 
learners for whom a reasonable adjustment to a learning program is 
needed due to learning disability or difficulty;
b. Health and well-being-related exceptions, such as learners with specific 
health conditions that may require mobile devices or electronic gadgets, 
as certified by a medical doctor and duly noted by the School Head; 
and
c. Exceptions related to managing risks, such as in case of emergency, in 
response to a perceived threat or danger, or in case of field trips and 
other school-related activities outside the school premises.
SEC. 8. Sanctions for Non-compliance. - All covered public and private 
education institutions who fail to comply with the provisions of this Act shall 
be subject to sanctions that may be imposed by the DepEd. Learners shall 
likewise be subject to appropriate sanctions provided in the school policies 
set forth by the DepEd, for violation of Section 5 hereof.
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in 
consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), representatives from the 
Parent-Teacher Associations, relevant government agencies, and other 
private stakeholders shall promulgate the rules and regulations within ninety 
(90) days after the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts not 
affected shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, executive orders, 
presidential decrees, administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, 
or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are


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hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,