June 2026: Digital Safety, Heritage, and School Modernisation Guide APAC Classrooms

Across the Asia-Pacific region, schools are balancing modernisation with care for pupils, teachers and community identity. This month’s roundup includes school heritage, teacher protections for field trips, phone-free learning, online safety and investment in digital classrooms.

South China Morning Post: A phone-free policy will work only if students help create it

This Hong Kong opinion piece argues that phone-free school policies are more likely to work when pupils help shape them. The writer frames device limits as a way to protect attention, conversation and healthier daily routines, rather than as a simple ban.

The Star: Malaysian Bar: Safety-by-design over blanket bans

As Malaysia prepares new online safety rules, the Malaysian Bar has urged a balanced approach, with a focus on the need for safer platforms, parental tools, digital literacy, and privacy safeguards, with schools playing a role in teaching responsible online behaviour.

Antara News: Indonesia disburses US$150 mln for school upgrades, digital push

Indonesia has released funding for school revitalisation and digitalisation as part of its 2026 education plans. The investment supports school upgrades and the wider use of digital learning tools, with the aim of improving quality and access.

The Korea Herald: Teachers to be shielded from liability over field trip accidents

South Korea is moving to protect teachers from civil or criminal liability for field-trip accidents unless there is intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence. The change is meant to reduce fear around off-campus learning and help schools offer more real-world experiences.

The Straits Times: CHIJ Toa Payoh primary and secondary schools to revert to full original names in 2027

Two CHIJ schools in Singapore will return to their original names from January 2027. The change recognises the schools’ history and gives pupils a stronger link to the identity and heritage of their learning community.

Jakarta Globe: Safety and Opportunity: Getting the Balance Right Online

In Indonesia, digital policy debates continue to focus on how to protect children online without cutting them off from useful learning opportunities. This article explores safety measures that reduce harm while still recognising the role of digital access in education.