The Department for Education launches a new initiative, led by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, to reduce distractions and improve student behaviour by limiting mobile phone usage during school hours.
New guidance has been issued across England to tackle the usage of mobile phones during school hours, as announced by the Department for Education. This initiative, spearheaded by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, seeks to mitigate classroom distractions and enhance student behaviour. Schools are encouraged to either fully ban mobile phones on their premises or enforce stringent rules preventing their use during the day. The approach varies, allowing schools flexibility in implementation, but underscores a nationwide effort to ensure a learning-focused school environment.
The guidance comes in response to the recognition of mobile phones as potential detractors from educational engagement and discipline within schools. It provides practical advice on enforcing phone bans, including the possibility of school staff conducting searches for mobile phones among students’ possessions if necessary. Although not obligatory, this guidance aims to standardize practices across schools and support teachers in maintaining classroom focus.
Critiques of this policy have emerged, notably from the Association of School and College Leaders union, which has described the initiative as addressing a “non-problem” with a “non-policy.” They argue that excessive mobile phone use predominantly occurs outside of school hours. Despite this, the government has cited data indicating that nearly a third of secondary school pupils have used their phones during lessons without permission, underscoring a need for regulatory measures.
This guidance is part of broader discussions on the impact of mobile phone access and social media on children’s social, educational, and behavioral development. There have been suggestions within these discussions for stricter controls on children’s access to online platforms outside of school, including advocacy for creating age-appropriate mobile phones for those under 16.
The Department for Education’s initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring that schools remain environments dedicated to learning, free from the disruptions and distractions that mobile phones can introduce.
