- The Welsh Government will issue statutory guidance to schools
on restricting the use of mobile phones in schools following a
consultation.
- A workforce survey found a large majority of respondents
wanted greater national direction on phone use in schools.
- The Education Minister has set out her priorities including
raising standards, strengthening the Welsh language, developing
skills and building a system that works for everyone.
New statutory guidance to restrict mobile phone use in schools
announced, as Education Minister sets out her priorities.
The guidance for local authorities and schools will strengthen
and make clear the expectations for how phones are used within
the school day.
The guidance will be evaluated over the school year, with the
option to further strengthen expectations if needed.
To support the guidance a workforce survey of mobile phone use in
schools was carried out. The findings showed that whilst most
schools have mobile phone policies, there was no consistent
approach, and a large majority of respondents wanted greater
national direction, with 82% in favour of statutory restrictions.
Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language, said:
Our 100 day plan was clear we would act and I have listened to
the calls for stronger clarity on this issue. This is why the
government will publish statutory guidance to provide clear
national expectations on how mobile phones are used in schools.
I want to be clear: as Cabinet Minister, I fully support
and strongly encourage headteachers to introduce clear and robust
restrictions on mobile phone use during the school day, up to and
including a full restriction across the school site. I am
mindful some children will always need exceptions for
medical reasons for example. By consulting on guidance at
the start of the school year I am giving schools the clarity they
want quickly, and creating a safer learning environment by
reducing distractions now.
The UK Government has announced plans this week for new
restrictions on under-16s' access to social media. We are
committed to protecting young people online, and will carefully
assess the implications of this announcement. We will work with
school leaders and partners across the education system in Wales
to ensure that their voices are heard and needs are reflected as
new restrictions are taken forward.
The Education Minister also set out her priorities for the
education sector including;
- Raising standard for every child, in every community through
developing a new Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan before
the end of the summer and reviewing the curriculum
- Supporting our education workforce by reducing workload and
creating the best conditions for teaching.
- Give all children and equal opportunity to speak Welsh by
expanding Welsh-medium education and ensuring learners have real
opportunities to use Welsh beyond the classroom.
- Create a coherent tertiary education system that puts
learners at the heart of everything, address the participation
gap and review how universities are funded.
added:
Education is the key to unleashing our nation's potential and
there is no shortage of talent, energy and innovation in Wales.
If we want to unlock this potential and build a stronger Wales,
we need a stronger education system.
We will raise standards, strengthen the Welsh language, develop
skills and build a system that works. By working together, we can
provide opportunity, ambition and excellence for all learners, in
all parts of Wales and support the workforce that makes it
possible. This Government has made education a priority because
the future of Wales depends on it.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- The workforce survey can be found here
- The Cabinet Minister for Education and Welsh Language will
make a specific statement on the Welsh language before the
summer.
