The worrying reason schools are removing analogue clocks - as teachers issue warning

Daily Mail​

05-06-2025

Schools are removing analogue clocks in exam halls because teenagers can no longer tell the time.
In some schools throughout the UK, digital clocks have been installed after GCSE and A-level students complained that they couldn't read the correct time, adding to the stress of examinations.
Children have to learn to tell the time using an analogue clock by the age of seven – but it appears many quickly forget the skill.
Education leaders, teachers and unions said that digital clocks on smartphones and other electronic devices are the main driver behind youngsters losing the skill.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, previously said: 'We're aware of some schools replacing analogue clocks with digital clocks in exam rooms.
'Young people taking exams have been brought up in a digital age and many just don't necessarily see analogue clocks and watches as much as older generations did when they were growing up. It's literally a case of changing times.'
Students need to be as relaxed as possible in an exam and it adds to their stress if they cannot tell the time, Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary at the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), a head teacher's union, said.
He told the Telegraph previously: 'The current generation aren't as good at reading the traditional clock face as older generation.
'They are used to seeing a digital representation of time on their phone, on their computer.
'Nearly everything they've got is digital so youngsters are just exposed to time being given digitally everywhere.'
However, telling the time is still part of the national curriculum in British schools for key stage one (years one and two).
Pupils should be able to tell the time to the hour and half past, and draw the hands on a clock face to show these times, according to the government website.
They should be able to use the 'language of time' throughout the day.
Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Charitable Trust, which runs about 50 schools, told The Times: 'We use a mix of digital and traditional clocks to overcome this potential problem.'
A recent viral post on the Instagram account @endbackpain read: 'Schools are removing analogue clocks because teenagers can no longer read them.'
The post prompted much debate, and people were outraged that such a crucial life skill is no longer a given in the younger generation.
One outraged commenter wrote: 'That's why you teach them!'
'What the hell are schools for,' a second agreed.
A furious third said: 'Failed as teachers.. well done!' and another added: 'Stop the Earth, I want to get off…'
Others were quick to share their own experiences, as one person shared: 'I called the dentist office the other day and apologised to them that I would be late.
'My appt was 9:30 so I told her I'd be there at quarter of 10, so the young receptionist said you'll be here at 9:75? I almost died.'
'Back in my day, we used to learn how they work, now you're telling me you can't spend 5 minutes teaching them about clocks?' another wrote.
Meanwhile, back in 2019 a survey revealed that half of young adults struggle to tell the time on a clockface with hands.
The YouGov survey, of more than 2000 people, raises the possibility that the smartphone generation could eventually lose the ability to read analogue clock faces.
The news will come as a huge blow to traditional watchmakers as their market continues to plummet each year.
Experts say that the rise of smartphones and smartwatches has left increasing amounts of young people unable to read traditional watches.
The research was commissioned by the Marloe Watch Company, a British wristwatch designer.
The firm said digital devices had become the 'primary' way for young people to tell the time.
Co-founder Oliver Goffe said: 'Generation Zers are our future prime ministers, teachers and doctors. The fact they might not be able to tell the time if they can't find a phone charger could be an issue.'