Phone plan for schools

THE use of mobile phones by students in Tasmanian schools is being reviewed by the Government.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff yesterday confirmed a departmental working group had been set up to develop a policy to support schools that use technology for learning and all school associations, principals, staff and parents would be surveyed.

THE use of mobile phones by students in schools is being reviewed by the State Government.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff yesterday confirmed a departmental working group had been set up to develop a policy to support schools that use technology for learning, including personal mobile devices by students.

In June, the Government said it was reviewing a NSW report into the use of digital devices in schools before deciding whether to change its policy on smartphones.

Victoria this year announced it would ban mobile phones during school hours in state primary and secondary schools from 2020.

Mr Rockliff said the Government was surveying all school association committees, which include principals, school staff and parents.

An initial round of consultation on the issue of mobile phone use in schools has been done with school principals.

New Town High principal David Kilpatrick said the school last year introduced its own policy of not allowing students to use their phones in classrooms.

Mr Kilpatrick said it was the school’s view that there was little to be gained from students using their phones during school hours. “The disadvantages outweighed the benefits in the sense they tended to distract learners from learning,” he said.

He said the use of phones brought the possibility for students to use them — including on social media — in “negative sorts of ways”. Mr Kilpatrick said the response to the changes had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations president Nigel Jones said phones should be handed in by students and picked up at the end of the day. Mr Jones said the use of phones during school hours could enable students to be bullied.

Tasmanian Principals Association president Sally Milbourne said the TPA did not yet have a position on any possible changes. “As with any issue, there are pros and cons,’’ she said. She said consultation needed to be extensive to take in a range of views.

Labor MLC Josh Willie said following the lead of other states and introducing a ban on mobile phone use was worthy of consideration. But he too said any changes had to be consulted widely. Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said there should be restrictions on the use of mobile phones.

The Government’s survey opened last Friday and will close on October 18.