Turkmenistan Approves Rules for the Use of Personal Mobile Devices in Education

The Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan has officially approved a new regulation governing the use of personal mobile devices by students for educational purposes. The relevant Order No. 197 was signed by the Minister of Education of Turkmenistan, Jumamurat Gurbangeldiyev. The document was registered with the Ministry of Justice of Turkmenistan on June 3, 2026.

The new rules were developed based on the Law of Turkmenistan “On Education.” Their main purpose is to integrate modern digital technologies into the educational process while also protecting students’ health and maintaining academic discipline. The rules are mandatory for all public and private educational institutions in the country.

Definition of personal mobile devices

According to the document, personal mobile technical devices include all electronic devices with communication, internet access, photo, video, and audio recording capabilities. These include mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches.

Rules of use

Under the new regulations, the use of mobile devices in educational institutions is allowed only for educational purposes and with the permission of teaching staff. During lessons, devices must be kept in silent mode or airplane mode.

It is also prohibited to take photos, videos, or audio recordings without permission from students or staff. Educational institutions may establish designated storage areas for devices.

Digital opportunities

The document also highlights the use of mobile devices as a useful tool in education. They may be used for:

— accessing electronic learning platforms;

— using multimedia materials;

— studying audio, video, and graphic content;

— working with e-textbooks and educational resources;

— completing and monitoring digital assignments.

Integration of devices into educational systems is to be supported by IT specialists or computer science teachers.

Safety and educational standards

Special attention is given to the potential health impact of excessive mobile device use among students. Therefore, educational institutions are required to conduct awareness activities for students and parents on the proper use of digital technologies.

The rules also include requirements for protection against harmful information, maintaining moral standards, and avoiding aggressive or dangerous content.

The new regulations are considered an important step toward the effective and safe integration of digital technologies into the education system.