ONE week after the introduction of a ban on mobile phones in NSW schools, local teachers say they are impressed by the response of students.
The restriction is part of a Minns Government election promise to improve the learning of students.
The change brings the state in line with schools in South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia, where mobile phones are already banned.
Balranald Central School has been mobile-phone-free since 2018, and students were pleased to see the ban introduced state-wide from the start of Term 4.
Principal Nadine Matarazzo said her students had been consulted about the school’s policy.
“We’ve actually had our school looking like the state-wide implementation for some time now,” she said.
“We went with the option of, ‘Off and Away’ which means our students’ phones are turned off and stored in their bags or a safe spot.
“We received input from the students about what they thought some of the consequences should be in regard to our procedures.
“From that, we developed a tiered procedure to follow in case anyone wasn’t following our school’s policies.”
Mrs Matarazzo said that students at the school had taken to the statewide ban without issue.
“In the first week, not a single student was found to be using their phone,” she said.
“I think the students appreciated seeing this being implemented across the state, because they see it as levelling the playing field.
“Students have access to school laptops from grade 5, with departmental internet access, so they have more than enough access to that technological side of things.
“I think that distraction is the main reason this was implemented, but obviously there’s a number of reasons this has been brought in.
“Having no interruptions in the classroom is a great thing, and making school an even better learning environment is something that the students appreciate.”
Mrs Matarazzo said that parents had been showing great support to the statewide ban.
“The support of parents is another thing that has been fantastic,” she said.
“Children can still access their phones on their way to and from school, which does a lot to cover part of the safety aspect that parents may worry about.
“I’m a mother of teenagers, and obviously as a principal, I can see the issues surrounding issues like cyber bullying.
“Any action that helps support teenagers is a good thing.”
