THE ban on mobile phone use during the school day at government schools and colleges has been “received well”, according to the Education Minister – but there are “discussions to have” as to what the long-term approach should be.
Deputy Rob Ward provided the update six months after the policy, which applies to students up to the end of Key Stage 4, was implemented.
At the time, the minister cited a push for “clarity and consistency” across all government schools and colleges and also offered guidance to parents.
It coincided with wider debate over how the Island protects children from potential harm caused by online platforms and digital content.
Speaking to the JEP yesterday, Deputy Ward said he understood that the change had been “received well and adopted really well across our schools”.
“In particular, I think the young people themselves, the students have responded really well and are getting used to that.”
The minister noted that there were “discussions to have as to what is best in the longer-term”, and that this would “certainly” be among the work to be considered by the next States Assembly.
Deputy Ward’s comments come as it emerged that the UK Government is considering backing existing guidance on school mobile phone bans with legislation.
Asked if the developments in the UK were being looked at with interest, Deputy Ward said he felt the Island was “ahead of the game” and that “by having six months to a year of us not allowing phones in schools we can respond with better information about our schools and the way Jersey is working”.
He also pointed out that the UK’s push for statutory change was in the context of “a much bigger environment in terms of the thousands and thousands of schools”.
“I think that we are in a good place and we can do what we need to, whether that includes a statutory change or not.”
