Politics Blog - April 29 - May 5

The Government’s “away for the day” ban on phones in all state schools comes into full effect today, and the rule doesn’t only apply to the classroom - students will need to store their phones away for the entire school day.

It’ll change the way of life for Aotearoa’s digital natives, so what do you need to know before you send your kids back to school?

What does this phone ban mean?
From April 29, all state schools and kura from primary to secondary must enforce a phone ban on campus.

All cell phones need to be packed away, turned off or on silent but cannot be used.

The rule was introduced and brought into action by National, in a bid to tackle failing achievement in schools.

What happens at morning tea and lunch?
The Ministry of Education says the regulations require that schools must ensure students don't use or access a phone while they're attending school "including during lunch time and breaks".

This includes students who are on a school course or visit outside the school grounds

Are any schools exempt from the ban?
The only public school exempt from this rule is Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu, which is New Zealand’s largest school with 25,000 students, as it is reliant on devices for distance learning.

Private schools can decide on their own if they want to follow the new regulation.

How are schools implementing this rule?
It's up to them!

Schools are to determine the best approach to implementing the new phone rules for their students.
 
What's the point of all this?
Simply, Kiwi students have been recording concerning test results in recent years, and bad behaviour in classrooms is reported to be a growing issue by the Education Review Office.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon promised a ban on phones in schools heading into the 2023 election, saying the requirement will help students focus on their lessons.

Recent statistics have painted a pretty grim picture of our education system, with Kiwi kids recently recording their worst ever international test results, which comes after years of slipping result standards.

According to the Ministry of Education, “schools and kura that already have student phone rules in place report positive impacts which include better engagement for learning, better social engagement, and fewer instances of bullying during break times.”

But the need for a blanket ban on phones in schools has been questioned by Labour, and some principals say schools have bigger issues to deal with.