Mobile phone ban in Scots schools can go ahead if backed by headteachers, says SNP minister

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Mobile phones can be banned in the classroom, Scotland's Education Secretary has said.Jenny Gilruth said the Scottish Government will back school-wide bans if headteachers want to introduce them.New guidance released today has said that the decision would be up to school teachers.Gilruth said they would be allowed to "take the steps they see fit for their school to limit the use of mobile phones, including a full ban on the school estate if they feel that is required."Teachers have repeatedly raised concerns over the disruption caused by children using their phones during lessons.Gilruth said: “The Scottish Government does not intend to dictate approaches to our headteachers – they know better than anyone the specific approach which will work best in their school.“But we are making clear with this guidance that our headteachers are empowered to take action up to and including a whole school ban.“This Government supports Scotland’s schools in taking the necessary steps to tackle the negative effects associated with mobile phone use; to enhance outcomes for all of Scotland’s young people.”It comes after a poll found that an overwhelming majority of people do not want children to have access to smartphones in classrooms.A survey by Norstat for The Times found that 90 per cent of voters believe pupils should either only be able to access their phones at break or lunch times or not have them in school buildings at all.Almost 60 per cent said that pupils should only be allowed to use their phones during break time and at lunch time while 32 per cent backed a ban during all school hours. To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here