Government to submit project to ban mobile phones in classroom

Students’ days of using mobile phones in class may be numbered in BrazilA draft law currently under development, which includes a phone ban, is due to be submitted to the Ministry of National Education (MEC) in October. S. Paulo’s sheet Friday (20).

In an interview with the newspaper, Education Minister Camilo Santana confirmed that the ministry has decided to prepare the PL to be given to students. Banning smartphones in classrooms provides greater legal security for educational institutionsIn the Ministry’s opinion, simply issuing a “recommendation” to prevent the device will not have a significant impact.

Again according to Santana, The project is based on studies that show improvements in students’ attention, performance and even mental health as a result of the banHe cited the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) report as one of the references.

Recently released The document recommends banning mobile phones from the classroom and goes further, suggesting in some cases that the device be banned from schools altogether.The institution, which establishes a connection between students’ use of technology and learning difficulties, also draws attention to the emergence of mental health problems.

The measure has already been adopted in other countries

In some countries, including France, it is illegal to use mobile phones in the classroom. There, The ban has been in place since 2018 and applies to students up to the age of 15Those who cannot use the device even during breaks.

The Netherlands also adopted the measure, which will come into force from the beginning of 2024, and also includes smartwatches, tablets and more electronic devicesExcept when the devices are classroom-related. In China, the ban has been in place since 2021, and students are required to hand over their phones to the teacher during class.

The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro issued a decree earlier this year restricting smartphones in municipal schools. The MEC’s ​​proposal is due to be announced in October will apply to all public and private schools in the national territory.