Overview
- The government published Decreto Supremo N.º 018-2026-MINEDU on Saturday, October 3, 2026, putting the regulation of Law N.° 32385 into force nationwide.
- The rule applies to all public and private Basic Education programs, covering primary, secondary, Educación Básica Alternativa and Educación Básica Especial.
- Schools may set up optional custody spaces for phones when resources allow and must normally return devices at the end of the school day, though serious or repeated misconduct can lead to delivery of the device to a parent or guardian under rules of proportionality and graduality.
- The regulation defines four exceptions for device use—pedagogical activities, overcoming educational barriers, health or disability needs, and emergencies—and bars school staff from accessing students’ personal content while requiring written authorization or medical certification when applicable.
- UGELs will monitor compliance while DREs follow regional rollout, Minedu and Minsa will run prevention and digital-safety campaigns, and schools must update internal rules and post visible notices with implementation expected to vary by resources and locality.