Perth and Kinross becomes the first Scottish council to implement a complete ban on mobile phones in classrooms, starting August 2025, to enhance the educational environment.
Perth and Kinross schools have made a significant policy change by becoming the first Scottish council to implement a complete ban on mobile phones and digital devices in classrooms. This decision, approved by the Learning and Families Committee and set to take effect from August 2025, stipulates that the use of personal mobile devices will be prohibited during lesson time unless expressly allowed by teachers for educational purposes.
The new personal mobile devices policy aims to promote a secure and respectful digital environment for all students and staff. The implementation period will extend from 2025 to 2028, during which the effectiveness of the policy will be closely monitored. Councillors are expected to receive updates on the policy’s impact within the first two years; an initial assessment is scheduled for April 2027.
The catalyst for this policy arose following guidance from the Scottish Government in August 2024, which empowered headteachers with the authority to enforce mobile phone bans on school premises during school hours. Perth and Kinross Council (PKC), after consulting with pupils, staff, and parents, has crafted a tailored approach to ensure that the use of mobile devices aligns with educational objectives.
Key components of the policy state that mobile phones must be switched off or set to silent mode when not in use and stored in a way that does not disrupt the learning environment. Additionally, these devices are not permitted in examination rooms unless specific permission has been granted by the school’s SQA coordinator for examination purposes.
In cases of emergencies, the school office will serve as the primary communication link between the school and students, eliminating the need for parents or carers to contact their children on personal devices during school hours.
The committee’s decision was met with unanimous approval, reflecting a collective agreement on the importance of safeguarding students’ educational experiences. John Rebbeck, the convenor of the committee, remarked, “Mobile technology is here and it’s here to stay and we should embrace the positive aspects. But this policy is designed to mitigate the negative effects – not least to keep teachers and support staff authoritative in their classrooms.” He expressed anticipation regarding the policy’s potential impact on student attainment and emphasised the need for ongoing evaluation rather than waiting for a complete three-year cycle to gauge its effects.
Councillor Liz Barrett highlighted the strong focus on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children, while Bailie Chris Ahern underscored the importance of role modelling for students, stating, “I hope staff and teachers take cognisance of it as well because one of the best parts of education is leading by example.”
This substantial policy shift represents a significant step toward addressing the challenges posed by mobile device usage in educational settings, following a growing trend in several schools across Scotland.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/24535/New-mobile-phone-policy-for-Perth-and-Kinross-Schools – This URL supports the implementation of a new mobile phone policy in Perth and Kinross schools, highlighting the policy’s focus on safe device use and safeguarding students’ wellbeing.
- https://www.ground.news/article/mobile-phone-ban-for-perth-and-kinross-classrooms – This article corroborates the decision by Perth and Kinross Council to ban mobile phones in classrooms, emphasizing strict rules for devices and aligning with educational objectives.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Government – This URL provides general context about the Scottish Government, which issued guidance empowering headteachers to enforce mobile phone bans on school premises.
- https://www.sqa.org.uk/ – This URL refers to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), relevant to the policy component that requires permission from the SQA coordinator for device use during examinations.
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/education/schools-and-parents/ – This URL provides background on the Scottish Government’s policies related to education and school management, supporting the context of mobile phone regulations.
- https://parentzone.org.uk/articles/digital-wellbeing-in-schools-why-it-matters – This link supports the broader educational focus on digital wellbeing and managing technology in schools, aligning with the goals of Perth and Kinross’s policy.
- https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxPOExYV0tPZXhjRXV3eHltQkxWSmU3cnIwcUFqQWtnTFExN3FWYjNRcUl4MHJjbkNydFB2TVJ5Qm1IdHZxUnpBWFpBMFp5U1hyU2dOQnBoaEd3Sk10SjVNWGJIdFFSRkE5aTEwdkZJWlBENE5pU0lTOWZMc3BpWXJDWlA4dE1ZaW5nZzMtNU03TnRDUUpVZzBSMFZCNVhZTThi?oc=5&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The policy change mentions a future implementation period starting in August 2025, indicating the content is recent. However, no specific previous versions of this policy or similar news could be found online, which suggests this may be a new development.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Quotes from John Rebbeck and other councillors could not be verified through additional online sources. However, the context suggests they are original to this narrative, which is common in local news reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a news report. While it lacks a direct mention of a well-known reputable publication, the context suggests a factual report. Reliability cannot be fully assured without further verification.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The policy aligns with recent trends in Scotland regarding mobile phone use in schools. The involvement of the Learning and Families Committee and consultation with stakeholders makes the policy plausible and well-considered.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is generally plausible and seems to reflect recent developments. However, the lack of direct verification of quotes and source reliability suggests caution. Further confirmation from local authorities or reputable news sources would enhance confidence in the details.
