Mobile phones will be banned in all public schools across NSW from October.
The move, which was a key election promise from Labor, will come into effect when students return to school for their fourth and final term on October 9.
‘We’re banning mobile phones in NSW public schools from day one, term four – this year,’ Premier Chris Minns tweeted on Monday.
The NSW Premier said he knew many parents were ‘anxious about the pervasiveness of phones and technology in our children’s learning environments’.
‘It’s time to clear our classrooms of unnecessary distractions and create better environments for learning,’ he said.
Mobile phones will be banned in all NSW public schools from October 9
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NSW Premier Chris Minns said many parents were ‘anxious’ about their children being distracted by phones in the classroom
The NSW Government will start consulting with schools on Monday about how best to carry out the ban.
The Labor party has reportedly backed away from its mooted plan of installing phone 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 pouches and lockers in class time.
Phones are already banned in NSW primary schools, while South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia already have phone bans at secondary schools.
‘These bans will be applied with common sense and in consultation with the experts, to ensure 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.
