News and views {NEWS REPORT}
School leaders believe ‘phone ban is out of touch Schools already have pupils’ mobile ‘phone use under control, say leaders in response to government plans
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chool and college leaders have condemned the government’s plan to ban mobile ‘phones from classrooms as outdated and out of touch, arguing that schools should be allowed to decide on appropriate rules. Responding to a Department for Education (DfE) consultation on student behaviour, the Association of School and College Leaders said education leaders already had student mobile ‘phone use under control and warned that some
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November 2021
students, such as those caring for a relative, may be disadvantaged by a strict approach. “School and college leaders are slightly mystified about the education secretary’s fixation with banning mobile ‘phones in classrooms because they have been dealing with the practicalities of this issue for many years now,” said Julie McCulloch, the director of policy at ASCL. “Our view remains that schools and colleges already have strong, tried-and-tested, policies and they are best placed to make their own decisions.”
