UK Education Secretary proposes ban on mobile phones in schools

UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is proposing a ban on mobile phones in English schools as part of a government clampdown on poor classroom discipline.

Williamson declared his desire to have the ban imposed as he launched a consultation on pupil behaviour and discipline in schools on Tuesday. He said he wanted to make the school day “mobile-free” to help ensure that classrooms remain calm and pupils can overcome the impact of the pandemic.

“Mobile phones are not just distracting, but when misused or overused, they can have a damaging effect on a pupil’s mental health and wellbeing,” he said.

Resistance to this proposal has been immediate however with school principals and teachers’ unions asserting that mobile phone policies were a matter for each school to determine.

Williamson is asking teachers, parents and other school staff for their views and policies on managing good behaviour in classrooms, before updating government guidance on behaviour, discipline, suspensions and permanent exclusions later this year.

The government is also looking at the use of “removal rooms” in schools and “managed moves” where a pupil is transferred to another school, often as a way of avoiding a formal expulsion.

The policy review will be carried out during a six-week consultation.

 SOURCE: UK Guardian