2023-10-02 19:27:00
Teacher representative outraged London wants to ban students from cell phones
October 2, 2023, 9:27 p.m. Listen to article
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Distractions, disruptions, bullying: smartphones can become a real challenge for schools. The British government is therefore taking a tough approach – and has announced a general ban on cell phones on school grounds. The teachers’ union considers this to be “unenforceable”.
Pupils in Great Britain will no longer be allowed to bring cell phones to school in the future. The Conservative government announced a nationwide ban to prevent distractions, disruption and bullying. “One of the biggest issues facing children and teachers today is dealing with the impact of smartphones in our schools,” Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said at the Conservative Party’s annual meeting in Manchester.
“We know that teachers are struggling with the consequences and know that they need support,” Keegan continued. In London, a government spokesman admitted that changing the law would take time. Therefore, only new guidelines would initially be issued. So far, school principals have decided on cell phone use; in most schools, cell phones have to be locked away before classes start.
The planned ban is “unenforceable” and ineffective, criticized the head of the teachers’ union NASUWT, Patrick Roach. Help for parents and teachers would be more important, as the negative consequences of smartphone use are not limited to the classroom.
The head of the school principals’ association NAHT, Paul Whiteman, pointed out problems in practical implementation, for example when it comes to agreements between children and their parents. The announced changes only apply to state schools. The Tories had already announced a ban on cell phones two years ago, but no action was taken.
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