Parents needing to contact child at school can ring secretary ‘as in old days’

By Cate McCurry, PA

Parents who have to contact their children while in school will be able to do so through the “old-days” method, by ringing the school secretary, the Minister for Education has said as she clamped down on use of mobile phones.

Norma Foley said that while schools would decide how to implement a ban on students’ phones, it would be reviewed by school inspectors.

It comes as the Minister for Education contacted school management about how the ban would work.

Ms Foley said that children could carry their phone to and from school, but that there should be no access to the device during the school day.

“What we’re saying is that all of the evidence is pointing to the fact that really, where mobile phones are not in use, students have an uninterrupted experience of learning,” she said.

“It does reduce cyberbullying, and it also creates an atmosphere of conversation and engagement on a one-to-one basis within our schools as well.

"All of the evidence tells us that when students don't have access to their phones during the school day it enhances their learning and fosters conversations and friendships"

Minister for Education @NormaFoleyTD1 on fostering mobile phone free zones in schools. pic.twitter.com/KhYW9q6lv8

— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) August 25, 2024

“That’s the research coming from the US surgeon general, and indeed our own Growing Up In Ireland.

“We know the evidence points to the fact that our students would be better off during the school day if they had a mental break, if you like, from mobile phones to support that.

“Each schools will take different approaches as to how they will implement that.

“Some might choose that the phones will remain in their bags for the day and not be used, seen or heard at any point during the school day.

“Others might use lockers or whatever. But the decision, ultimately, will be made by the school, in consultation with everyone.”

She added: “If there is an instance where a young person might need the phone for medical reasons, or whatever, schools obviously have discretion there as well.

“Students will have access to the phone before school and access to the phone after school, and if they need to be contacted during the day, they will be contacted, as we always had in the old days, by the school secretary or whatever.”

She made her comments as she attended Stanhope Street Primary School in Stoneybatter, Dublin, where she welcomed the primary school’s book launch.