Central Scotland MSP urges government to 'listen to teachers' on mobile phone ban
An MSP has called on the Scottish Government to listen to teachers after it was announced a mobile phone ban in school will be introduced through legislation.
SNP Education Secretary Màiri McAllan confirmed that there will be forthcoming legislation to restrict use of mobile phones in all of Scotland’s schools.
A consultation will precede the introduction of legislation, with refreshed guidance published this summer to further encourage schools to bring in their own restrictions in advance of the law change.
Scottish Labour MSP Jenny Young, who previously taught French and Spanish in West Lothian secondary schools, welcomed the news of a mobile phone ban but questioned the Cabinet Secretary on how teachers would be consulted without “piling ever more duties” on the already overworked staff.
Ms Young, the Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland and Lothians West, emphasised to the education secretary that teachers were already under “immense pressure”, adding: ““Of course a ban on mobile phones in schools across the country is welcome.
“Finally, the SNP government has listened to parents, teachers and young people, and acknowledged that a national ban is needed.
“A consultation is welcome but, as I already said to the Cabinet Secretary, teachers must be listened to during the process – it cannot become another duty for teachers to deal with when they’re already overworked and facing rising violence in the classroom.”
Under the new guidance, schools are expected to be given flexibility to ban phones either in classrooms or throughout the entire school day.
But there will be exemptions for pupils who require a phone - if they are a carer, have medical conditions or have additional support needs.