Mobile phone use set to be banned in Manx schools

The policy is expected to be finalised and rolled out during the autumn school term

Mobile phone use is set to be banned in all Manx primary and secondary schools after the summer holidays, the education minister has confirmed.

Daphne Caine said the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) was finalising a new policy that would provide a "consistency of approach".

A DESC consultation, designed to inform updates to the Education Bill, found 55% of respondents agreed the devices should not be used during the school day.

It comes as St Ninian's High School in Douglas has confirmed students will be expected to turn phones off and put them away before arriving each day from September.

In a letter to parents, headteacher Chris Coole said the move followed feedback from parents, staff and education professionals and the devices should not be "seen, heard or used" during the school day.

Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel, and Castle Rushen High School in Castletown have already adopted the same stance.

Rules at Ramsey Grammar School enforce a ban on phones during lessons, but permits their use during lunch and break times.

Exceptions

Ms Caine said the move would "improve the learning experience for students and teachers" and reduce lesson disruption and bullying incidents.

But she said there would be exceptions for those who needed access to their phones for medical reasons, and parents and pupils would continue to be able to communicate through the each school's office.

An "overarching centralised policy" would ensure a "consistency of approach and sanctions for any infringement of the policy", which included the confiscation of the device, she said.

The DESC planned to consult with teaching professionals after the summer break and the policy was expected to be rolled out during the autumn school term, when it would be "communicated widely" with parents, carers and students, she added.