Students in Great Britain will no longer be allowed to bring cell phones to school. The Conservative government announced a nationwide ban on Monday to prevent distractions, disruptions and bullying. “One of the biggest issues facing children and teachers today is dealing with the impact of smartphones in our schools,” Education Minister Gillian Keegan told the Conservative Party (Tories) annual conference in Manchester.
“We know teachers struggle with consequences and know they need support,” Keegan said. In London, a government spokesman admitted that changing the law would take time. Therefore, only the new guidelines will be published first. Until now, school principals had decided on cell phone use; Most schools require cell phones to be locked before classes begin.
Patrick Roche, head of teachers’ union NASUWT, criticized the planned ban as “unworkable” and ineffective. Help for parents and teachers is critical because the negative effects of smartphone use are not limited to the classroom. Paul Whiteman, head of headteachers’ union NAHT, pointed to problems with implementation, for example when it comes to contracts between children and their parents.
The announced changes are applicable only to government schools. The Tories announced a ban on cellphones two years ago, but no action was taken.
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