England is considering a total ban on the use of telephones in schools

Modern times also bring various problems. One of them concerns the use of smartphones at school. The latest information provided by Theguardian suggests that the use of mobile phones could be banned in English schools.

We have no doubt that mobile phones are great everyday helpers, but at the same time we agree that they do not belong in school. Thus, at least they do not belong to the teaching process. A new ban on the use of telephones could be part of new government measures in England to improve poor classroom discipline.

“Mobile phones are not only disruptive, but their excessive use can have a detrimental effect on a student’s mental health and well-being.”

Teachers’ unions and school principals have their own views on this. They claim that the situation around smartphones in schools should be handled by schools independently. The new proposal of the Minister of Education is allegedly only a pretext for diverting attention from educational failures during a pandemic.

Most schools there have long had clear rules for using phones in the classroom. Approximately half of secondary schools and most primary schools do not allow students to use telephones even during breaks.

At the end of 2019, we reported on our website about a school in Wales that had completely banned the use of telephones. This means that they cannot be used by students, nor by teachers. The school principal said that after the first year, he saw a huge difference and a shift for the better. Students are better able to concentrate on interpretation and do not think about who to write to with a smartphone.

Prohibition of the use of telephones at school. How is Slovakia doing?

The decree is clear in this respect. Students cannot use a mobile phone during class. However, there are exceptions when this is allowed, for example if it serves as a teaching aid. As an example we can mention various educational applications or videos.

A total ban on the use of smartphones applies, for example, in France to kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. Phones must be either switched off or stored in lockers.