A BAN on the use of mobile phones in schools is still in its early phases but is “helping teachers”, the Education Minister has said.
Deputy Rob Ward told the Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel that “young people are getting used to” the shift in policy and that he had been told anecdotally that it had led to pupils “talking to each other more”.
The new policy was outlined in a letter sent by the Education Minister to parents and guardians earlier this year. The restrictions apply to all students up to the end of Key Stage 4.
Announcing the move in June, Deputy Rob Ward said that he wanted to create “clarity and consistency” across all government schools and colleges. He issued guidance to parents, advising against sending children to school with smartphones, and urging close monitoring of device use if parents choose to provide one.
It came amid growing concerns about the access children have to technology – often unfiltered – with a number of parents writing to the panel to express their fears about the use of mobile phones in schools. The Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel has been reviewing online safety for young people and is due to publish its report soon.
During a quarterly hearing with the minister yesterday, panel member Deputy Beatriz Porée asked whether there were any exceptions to the blanket restrictions in government primary and secondary schools and colleges.
Deputy Ward explained that young people with medical or additional needs who require the use of a phone will be supported “accordingly”. He gave an example of pupils with diabetes needing access to a phone for blood-sugar level reading purposes or those with hearing impairments needing aid apps as not being restricted by the new rule.
“There are not massive numbers of children in that position,” he said, “so I think it’s manageable.
“Schools will already be aware of those children and will manage accordingly.”
Although phones are restricted for personal use during the school day, government schools are still providing online access for educational purposes.
