Ban ‘unreasonable and impractical’: ministers

Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and Fife councils say they do not have overall policies on mobile phones and leave it to individual schools to decide.

Angus Council guidelines state that the use of mobile phones or similar devices will not normally be permitted on the school campus during the day.

All four say the rules should not prevent pupils from using the technology to support their learning – as long as they have the permission of their teachers.

Many primary schools strike a balance by insisting mobile phones are handed to the teacher at 9am and returned at home time – unless needed for an emergency.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “Issues regarding mobile phones are managed on a school-by-school basis.

“In some instances, where it is appropriate, pupils will be encouraged to use this sort of technology to assist in their learning.”

Philip Black, head of education and children’s services at Fife Council, said: “In Fife we recognise that mobile technology can be a powerful aid to learning and teaching and can bring a sense of security to parents as their children enjoy more independent activities, such as walking to and from school.

“Safe and responsible use of phones can be very positive and all Fife schools have rules and procedures in place on how phones can be used.”

Last year South Scotland Conservative MSP Michelle Ballantyne called for a ban on phones in primary schools and restrictions on their use in secondary schools if head teachers deem it necessary. But guidance from Scottish ministers states a ban would be “unreasonable and impractical”.

The Fife branch of Scotland’s largest teaching union, the EIS, said the Scottish Government is right.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We encourage local authorities and schools to think carefully about how to incorporate the safe and responsible use of smart and mobile phones into learning and teaching. Headteachers can already ban phones in school if they wish to; however, phones are now being used effectively in classrooms to aid learning.”

France has a total ban on mobile phones in schools that affects pupils until they are around 15 years old.