When hundreds of thousands of Australian students are banned from using their mobile phones at school: ‘Time to clear our classrooms of unnecessary distractions’
- Chris Minns announced cell phone ban date
- Decision will affect hundreds of thousands of students
Mobile phones will be banned from all public schools in NSW from October.
The move, which was a key Labor election pledge, will take effect when students return to school for their fourth and final semester on October 9.
“We are banning mobile phones in NSW public schools from day one, fourth semester this year,” Prime Minister Chris Minns tweeted Monday.
The NSW premier said he knew many parents were ‘concerned about the ubiquity of phones and technology in our children’s learning environments’.
“It’s time to clear our classrooms of unnecessary distractions and create better learning environments,” he said.
Mobile phones will be banned from all public schools in NSW from October 9
NSW Premier Chris Minns said many parents were ‘concerned’ about their children being distracted by phones in the classroom
The NSW government will begin consultations with schools on Monday on how best to implement the ban.
The Labor Party has reportedly moved away from its mooted plan to install telephone jamming technology around schools. The Daily Telegraph reported.
It is likely that teachers will collect students’ phones at the start of the day and store them in lockable bags and lockers during class.
These measures are already in place at Condell Park High School in western Sydney, where phones have been banned for 16 years.
Every morning at school, students hand over their phones to staff before collecting them at the end of the day.
Director Susie Mobayed said the move had also led to fewer cyberbullying incidents.
Chris Minns speaks with students on Monday during a visit to Condell Park High School, in western Sydney
Phones have been banned at Condell Park High School for 16 years. Students take them to teachers in the morning who store them in boxes before returning them at the end of the day (pictured)
“This means teachers and students can concentrate on teaching and learning without interruptions. There is also no room for cyberbullying, social media or taking photos and videos during the school day,” Ms Mobayed said.
Telephones are already banned in primary schools in NSW, while South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia already have telephone bans in secondary schools.
“These bans will be applied with common sense and in consultation with the experts, to ensure that it works to improve our children’s learning outcomes,” Mr Minns said.
Education Minister Prue Car said parents across NSW were concerned about the impact of constant phone use on their children’s mental health.
“A blanket ban in high schools will create a level playing field, reduce distractions in classrooms, help address cyberbullying issues and improve student learning outcomes,” she said.