Conservative law to ban phones in schools is ‘gimmick’, Education Secretary says
Conservative law to ban phones in schools is ‘gimmick’, Education Secretary says
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The Education Secretary has rejected calls to bring in a new law to ban phones in classrooms, as she branded the Conservative Party’s proposal a “headline-grabbing gimmick”. Bridget Phillipson said she agreed that mobile phones should not be in lessons, but added the opposition were wrong to say it could only be done by introducing legislation.
She also told MPs the academies movement will “continue to flourish” despite a letter from the Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza which said it would lead to children being in failing schools for longer. The Conservative party said last week that it would table an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would require the Government to ban phones in classrooms.
Shadow education secretary Laura Trott asked Ms Phillipson whether she would support her party’s plans. She said: “We know that smartphones in the classroom have a negative impact on reading and educational attainment of children in general. “When in government, we issued guidance to try to ban smartphones in the classroom, but the latest evidence is clear that they are still far too prevalent in schools.
“So to fix the problem, guidance needs to be put on a statutory footing. “Does the Education Secretary agree that children’s education outcomes are negatively affected by smartphones, and if she does, will she back our amendment to ban them from the classroom?”.
