Barbara Nowacka, Minister of National Education, announced in an interview with Radio ZET that detailed investigation will be conducted on the impact of smartphones on the educational results of students. However, she stressed that she is not presently planning to impose a national ban on the usage of mobile phones in schools, arguing that the educational strategy is not prepared for this.
Research on the Impact of Smartphones on Education
Minister Nowacka pointed out the problem of dependence on mobile devices, which affects not only young people, but the full society. "We are going to survey thoroughly how smartphone usage affects the learning process and the improvement of young people," she said. She besides added that decisions on possible restrictions on telephone usage should be taken individually by each school in cooperation with parents.
School autonomy and the function of parents
The Minister stressed that the autonomy of the school and the rights of parents should be included in the regulations on the usage of mobile phones. Many schools have already implemented their solutions, specified as storing phones in safes during lessons. "The usage of telephones during classes is evidently unacceptable," Nowacka said, adding that teachers can usage mobile devices for teaching purposes.
Alternative Activities and Activities
The Minister of Education besides pointed out the request to organise alternate classes and activities for students during breaks. As an example, she gave secondary schools that make gaming tables available by encouraging youths to interact and exercise.
Global Approach to Smartphone Prohibition in Schools
Examples from another Countries
- France: No mobile phones in primary and secondary schools since September 2018.
- Netherlands: Since January 2024, the ban on the usage of digital devices in classes, but medical situations and students with disabilities.
- Italy: Students must give their smartphones at the beginning of the school day.
- Finland: Restrictions on smartphone usage in schools since June 2023.
- China: No mobile phones in schools since February 2021.
- Australia: In Tasmania state, no mobile phones in schools since 2020.
- United States: Many schools in different states have banned the usage of smartphones in classes.
- United Kingdom: Support for bans on smartphones in schools, although this is not a common law.
Do Smartphones truly Disturb Science?
Research shows that the presence of smartphones in the schoolroom leads to a crucial distraction of students. Even erstwhile phones are turned off, their presence can reduce students’ ability to concentrate and remember. The dependence on smartphones negatively affects academic outcomes and the efficiency of science.
Initiatives in Poland
Various initiatives were introduced in Poland to restrict the usage of smartphones in schools, but there is no national ban. Many schools themselves introduce regulations in their statutes. These rules may include collecting phones at the beginning of classes and returning them at the end of the day.
Examples of Initiatives
- Petition of the Children and Youth Council: Call for uniform rules on the usage of mobile phones in primary schools.
- “Save the Children!” campaign: Appeal to introduce top-down digital hygiene rules in schools.
- Petition Centre for Life and Family: Collection of signatures under petition to ban smartphones in schools.
Scheduled School Changes
The Ministry announced many changes in schools. Reduce homework for younger students and redesign the curriculum, including the introduction of fresh subjects specified as Civic Education and wellness Education. fresh responsibilities have been introduced for schools, including sanitary facilities.
Decisions on the usage of smartphones in schools should be taken at the level of individual establishments, taking into account the specificities of the school community. investigation on the impact of smartphones on education is crucial to knowing this problem and developing best practices. It is worth monitoring actions of another countries and adapting solutions to Polish realities to support healthy student improvement and improving educational outcomes.
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