Pupils in Latvia will be banned from using mobile phones at school outside of class. The amendment to the education law was approved by the parliament of this Baltic country on Thursday, writes the DPA agency.
The measure applies to children up to the sixth grade. They will not be allowed to use mobile phones unless they need them for teaching. The ban will take effect on May 31 next year. Until then, schools must adjust their internal regulations. “These changes are needed as a clear signal to school founders that the pointless use of mobile phones must be stopped,” said Agita Zariňová-Stúreová, chairwoman of the parliamentary committee for culture, education and science.
DPA writes that the proponents of the proposal refer to research according to which the presence of even switched off mobile phones has a negative effect on people’s cognitive abilities and increases the risk of emotional violence in the online space. It is not clear whether children will be able to bring their phones to school at all. According to some media, it will be possible, but children will have to turn them off.
According to the amendment to the Education Act, schools will also be empowered to search pupils’ personal belongings if the safety, health or life of other people is at risk.
The ban on mobile phones, tablets and smart watches has been in effect since this year for pupils in the Netherlands, for example, both for children in primary schools and for secondary school pupils.
In the Czech Republic, since September, pupils of Vsetín elementary schools established by the city are not allowed to have phones with them during classes.
Source: www.tyden.cz
