Take this with you

  • From 1 September 2026 primary schools ban phone use (with exceptions).
  • The new core curriculum covers preschools and grades 1 and 4.
  • Health education is compulsory; the sexual health part can be opted out of.
  • Phone details are set in the school statute — worth reading.

Phone ban in primary schools

An act of 3 July 2026, published on 3 August, bans primary school pupils from 1 September from using mobile phones and other devices that allow communication or recording images and sound — during teaching, educational and care activities on school premises and during activities outside school.

The ban doesn't apply, among other cases, when a teacher allows a device for the curriculum, for testing knowledge or for contacting parents in an emergency, and during school trips. Schools must provide places to store devices. In secondary schools the rules — from conditions of use to a ban — are set in the school statute.

New core curriculum: preschools, grades 1 and 4

A regulation of 11 March 2026 introduces the new core curriculum under the 'Compass for Tomorrow' reform. From 1 September it applies in preschools and in grades 1 and 4 of primary school; pupils in other grades finish their cycle under the existing rules. First- and fourth-graders use new textbooks.

The new framework teaching plans (regulation of 22 July 2026) also provide for a project week in grades 4–8 — optional this year, compulsory gradually in later years.

Health education becomes compulsory

Under the new framework plans, health education is a compulsory subject in primary schools — one hour a week in grades 4–8 (in grade 8 until the end of January). Sexual health content is a separate set of classes, on rules similar to the former 'education for family life': a pupil does not attend if the parents (or an adult pupil) submit a written opt-out to the headteacher.

This is a change from 2025/2026, when the whole subject was optional and about 30% of eligible pupils attended.

What to do at the start of the year

A short checklist for parents:

  • Ask the school where and how phones will be stored and how to reach your child in an emergency.
  • Parents of grade 1 and 4 pupils: check the list of new textbooks — primary schools provide them.
  • If you don't want your child to attend the sexual health classes, ask the school for the opt-out form and deadline.
  • Read the changes to the school statute — that's where the phone details will be.

Sources & further reading

Prepared with AI assistance using the sources below. Editorial standards ↗