Mobile phones are to be banned in NSW public high schools later this year with the Department of Education consulting with schools on how to impose the ban.
Welcoming the move, the Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car said secondary school students would be banned from using mobile phones at school from Term 4.
Ms Car said the Department had begun consultation with schools on options they could use to implement the ban.
“Mobile phones are already banned in primary schools, and the move will bring NSW high schools in line with schools in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia,” Ms Car said.
“The ban on mobile phones will apply during class, recess and lunch times, as is the case in NSW public primary schools,” she said.
“Students will be allowed to carry their phones while travelling to and from school.”
Ms Car said a number of high schools had already banned the use of mobile phones at school – requiring phones to be put in lockable pouches, lockers, bags or simply making students hand in their phones at the beginning of the school day.
She said a blanket ban in high schools would create a level playing field, reduce distractions in classrooms, help address cyberbullying issues and improve student learning outcomes.
“We know that parents across the State are concerned about the impact that devices like smartphones are having on their kids’ learning and mental health,” the Minister said.
“Condell Park High School has successfully banned student mobile phones for 16 years with benefits to student learning and behaviour,” she said.
