In Term 2 of 2024, the nationwide “phones away for the day” policy requires students to keep mobile phones out of sight throughout the school day, including breaks.
A policy that’s improving learning
According to the Education Review Office (ERO), the ban is delivering clear benefits across schools.
Teachers report that removing phones has:
– Improved student focus and concentration
– Lifted academic achievement
– Reduced bullying and negative behaviour
Around 79% of teachers say students are more focused, while more than 60% report improved achievement.
The compliance problem
Despite these gains, enforcement remains inconsistent, especially in secondary schools.
ERO found that:
– Only about half of secondary students consistently follow the rules
– Older students are the least likely to comply
– Many still use phones during breaks or out of sight of teachers
A major reason? Students often want to message parents during the day, highlighting a gap between school expectations and home habits.
Why consequences matter
The review makes one thing clear: rules alone aren’t enough
Schools that enforce the ban firmly, with clear, consistent consequences, see significantly better results.
These consequences include:
– Confiscating phones
– Notifying parents
– Applying consistent school-wide rules
When this happens, compliance can double, and improvements in behaviour and achievement become even more noticeable.
On the flip side, inconsistent enforcement sends mixed signals, making students more likely to ignore the rules.
What happens next?
While the current policy is showing positive results, the review suggests there’s still room to strengthen it.
Future considerations include:
– Sharing best-practice enforcement strategies across schools
– Increasing parent awareness and support
– Looking at other digital distractions, like smartwatches and social media
New Zealand’s phone ban in schools is working – improving focus, behaviour, and learning outcomes. But its long-term success depends on consistency.
Without firm enforcement and support from both schools and families, even the best policies risk being ignored. With them, however, classrooms are becoming more engaged, connected, and ready to learn.
