Gillian Keegan, the Education Secretary of England, has unveiled a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the learning environment in schools across the country. Keegan’s proposal seeks to ban mobile phones from schools in England, with the intention of reducing distractions, addressing issues of bullying, and ultimately improving the educational outcomes of students.
While headteachers in England currently have the authority to set guidelines regarding mobile phone usage within their schools, Keegan is advocating for more stringent, unified guidance to be issued from Whitehall. This proposed guidance would apply uniformly to all schools in England and impact the entire school day, ensuring consistency in approach.
The decision to implement this ban aligns with recommendations from a United Nations report emphasizing the need to prohibit smartphones from schools to mitigate classroom disruptions, enhance the learning experience, and protect children from cyberbullying. Unesco, the UN’s education, science, and culture agency, has noted compelling evidence linking excessive mobile phone use to diminished educational performance and adverse effects on children’s emotional well-being.
The awaited guidance on this mobile phone ban will be issued in the near future, although no specific date has been announced as of yet. It is important to clarify that this ban will not carry legal obligations, and school heads will have the discretion to determine how best to implement it within their institutions.
While mobile phones can serve as valuable educational tools, they have also been recognized as potential sources of distraction and disruption in the classroom. Keegan’s initiative underscores the commitment to creating an environment in which students can concentrate on their studies without the interference of mobile devices. The goal is to enhance the overall educational experience for students throughout England.
The move by Gillian Keegan has garnered significant attention and is expected to spark discussions within the education community and among parents, as it aims to strike a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of mobile phones in the classroom.
Resources:
3.https://thethaiger.com/world/news/555160/
4.https://academichelp.net/blog/edtech/mobile-phones-facing-potential-ban-in-english-schools.html