National Party’s leader Christopher Luxon recently announced that they will enforce a ban on phones in schools if they form the majority of the Government in this year’s election.
The ban of phones will apply to all primary, intermediate and secondary schools, however there are exceptions. Cellphones can be used in class if it is for educational purposes that is part of the student’s school work. Students who need phones for health purposes or who have learning challenges that are aided by their phone will be granted an exemption on the ban. Parents and guardians of the students will have to contact the school office if they need to get in contact with their child.
This is what Christopher Luxon has to say about the proposed ban and why they National will implement it, “Parents can contact students via the school office, and exceptions for students with health conditions or special circumstances will be permitted. “Many schools here and overseas have experienced positive outcomes, including improved achievement, after banning the use of cell phones. “We want teachers to be able to get on with teaching and students to concentrate on
learning.
“Student achievement has declined over the past three decades, jeopardising kids’ future livelihoods and threatening New Zealand’s future prosperity.
“More than half of Year 8 students are behind expectations in maths, science and writing according to the National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement.
“National has already announced its plan to focus schools on the basics, including a minimum of one hour each of reading, writing, and maths every day.
“Students only have one shot at their school years, and we want to help them make the most of their valuable class time"
Many parents, guardians and even students have voiced their opinions about the reason announcement, with some agreeing that the policy is the right thing to do and some people saying they agree but only if other things were considered (each student
had access to a laptop, students can use their phones at breaks etc.). Then there are the other half who completely disagree with the policy stating that it can be a safety issue or that it will be hard for each school to put the policy into force. Each school
will be able to decide how to practically enforce the ban.
“Schools will be able to decide exactly how they enforce it, but it could mean requiring students to hand in their phones before school, or leave them in their lockers or bags, Luxon says.
Do you agree with National’s new policy on banning phones at school?
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PC1: Phone Ban
