Mobile phones to be banned for thousands more pupils in Scots schools in major crackdown
The blanket ban will come into force later this year
CALLING IT OFF Mobile phones to be banned for thousands more pupils in Scots schools in major crackdown
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MOBILE phones are set to be banned from classrooms for thousands more Scottish pupils amid a major crackdown.
Moray Council is the latest local authority to prohibit the use of devices across its primary and secondary schools.
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Moray Council will ban mobile phones from classrooms later this year
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It is hoped the move will reduce disruption in classrooms, as well as stop some incidents of bullying.
In primary schools, mobiles and personal devices will not be allowed in school.
And in secondary schools, students will need to keep phones switched off and out of sight during the day.
The new policy would have exemptions for medical use such as diabetes monitoring.
The blanket ban will come into force from August this year and follows a consultation involving parents, carers, pupils and school staff.
A total of 73 per cent of 3,283 people who completed the survey supported the ban.
The council stated that parents and staff it consulted in the survey strongly back the ban, but pupils did not.
Councillors against the move raised concerns about pupils needing to be contacted regarding late transport or family issues.
However, the move was voted through on the basis the policy will be reviewed in 12 months.
Chair of Moray Council's Education, Communities and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: "We recognise that mobile devices are a part of everyday life and can enhance learning and teaching.
Teachers have powers to ban phones
"But we also recognise the risks associated with young people bringing their devices into school.
"Namely bullying and harassment with inappropriate use detracting from learning.
"We aspire for our schools to be places where pupils can focus, learn, and feel supported and guidance is being provided to Head Teachers to assist them to introduce this new approach while promoting positive relationships and behaviour."
Last month, Perth and Kinross Council become the first in the country to blanket ban mobile phones in classrooms.
The local authority will prohibit the use of mobile phones and other digital devices for both pupils and teachers during lessons.
The personal mobile devices policy will be implemented in schools from August 2025 until 2028, when it will be reviewed.
It blocks mobile phone use unless "explicitly permitted" for educational purposes.
And thousands of pupils will be forced to give up their mobile phones during school in what is said to be a Scottish first in an effort to improve focus and mental health among pupils.
Schools will introduce magnetic, lockable pouches for the devices in an attempt to curb distractions in class.
It is also hoped the pouches, created by US company Yondr, will improve pupils' moods, encourage less screentime, and increase face-to-face interaction.
Two schools in Edinburgh will become the first to pilot the phone-free scheme.
Portobello High School will roll out the pouches across the campus on Wednesday, with Queensferry High School due to follow suit on Wednesday, May 14.
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