Many secondary schools in the east Auckland area already have rules in place regarding cell phone usage.
The National Party recently announced it will ban cell phone use at school to help lift achievement “and support every child to make the most out of their education”.
National Party Leader Christopher Luxon, who is the MP for Botany, said to turn around falling achievement, students need to focus on their schoolwork “during their precious classroom time”.
“That means doing what we can to eliminate unnecessary disturbances and distractions.
“Many schools here and overseas have experienced positive outcomes, including improved achievement, after banning the use of cell phones.”
“We want teachers to be able to get on with teaching and students to concentrate on learning.”
Luxon said many schools and parents are concerned about the use of devices and research indicates there are health and social benefits to reducing screen time and encouraging students to interact with each other during their breaks.
“That is why our policy will apply throughout the whole school day. The presumption is phones will be off and away all day,” said Luxon.
“Schools will be able to decide exactly how they enforce it, but it could mean requiring students to hand in their phones before school or leave them in their lockers or bags.
“Parents can contact students via the school office, and exceptions for students with health conditions or special circumstances will be permitted.”
Macleans College principal Steven Hargreaves said the school has had rules in place regarding cell phones for many years.
“Macleans has a policy of all phones being inside the school bag between 8.30am and 3.15pm. This has been in place for many years – since the first arrival of cell phones,” Hargreaves said.
“It is well known that phones are a major distraction and impediment to learning. The benefit of having no phones at break or lunch time is that students talk with one another and play on the field. It creates a more settled environment that promotes interpersonal skills.
“Enforcement isn’t perfect but compliance levels are extremely high because students understand the benefits of not having phones in school.”
Karen Brinsden, principal at Botany Downs Secondary College, is looking into its processes around cell phones at school.
“We have guidance in our Parent Guardian Handbook on our website about students using their mobile phones during class,” Brinsden said.
“Our intent is that mobile phones are only used during morning tea and lunch time or with the explicit permission of a teacher. Phones should be kept inside a student’s bag (or locker) during class time and when moving between periods.
“We are currently researching the processes and outcomes of other schools nationally that have banned the use of mobile phones at school. We would like to see students interact more with their peers face-to-face to develop their social skills.”
Pakuranga College principal Michael Williams said cell phone use in class is determined by each faculty.
“Some faculties find phones too distracting and require them to be kept in bags and on silent during class, ensuring students are focused on their education.
“Other faculties allow phones to be used in class for the benefit of students’ learning, for example, our dance and drama students may record their performances for analysis,” Williams said.
“There are no plans to introduce a college-wide policy regarding cell phone use in class. I believe our faculties are best placed to decide which technology is appropriate and beneficial to students’ learning and which is not.
“All our students are aware of what constitutes appropriate cell phone use at school, and teachers set clear expectations for their classrooms.
“We’ve had a large and extremely positive response from parents to a communication from our English and Media Studies Faculty, outlining the requirement for phones to be on silent and in bags during class time unless teachers give permission for their use to photograph lesson notes.”
