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Mobile phones set to be banned from all Isle of Man schools
I hate to break it to you students out there, but mobile phones could be banned from all schools across the island from September under a new policy.
The Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC) is developing the new policy which will mean you will not be able to check your Snapchat or Instagram notifications until you’re on the bus home.
The move comes after St Ninian’s announced it is set to introduce the new measures from September.
In a letter written to parents of both the lower Bemahague school and St Ninian’s upper school, headteacher Chris Coole said students would now have to turn phones off and put them away before entering the school building.
Now DESC wants to extend that policy to all schools which will help ‘address adverse challenges’ around the devices.
A spokesperson for DESC said: ‘The Department is currently developing a policy on mobile phone use in schools. Once finalised, this policy will be communicated to parents, carers, and students and made available to the public.
‘The core principle of the policy is that mobile phones must be turned off and stored away while students are in school. This policy aims to address various challenges posed by mobile phone use, including lesson disruptions, bullying, device damage, and inappropriate use.
‘There will be exceptions for specific circumstances, such as medical needs. Parents wishing to contact their children during the school day should do so by contacting the school office.’
