The Education Ministry today permitted students to use mobile phones in school but imposed certain restrictions.

The new guidelines stipulate that the phones can be used in the canteen, corridors and open spaces before the school session starts, during recess and after the school session.

Education Director-General Dr Ahamad Sipon said all mobile phones must be switched off during teaching, learning and curricular activities.

"The use of mobile phones, including for short messaging service (SMS), games, ring tones, camera and other purposes, is restricted to the canteen, corridors and open spaces in school," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

He said school authorities were empowered to seize mobile phones of students who failed to observe the conditions.

The guidelines also reminded students that bringing valuable items to school was at their own risk.

Ahamad said the ministry had instructed all state education departments to convey the guidelines on mobile phone usage to all schools under their charge as quickly as possible.

He said the ministry decided to approve mobile phone usage in school at the request of parents who wanted an convenient method of communicating with their children and to ensure their safety.