Pupils and parents to be consulted as Fife Council look at mobile phone use in schools

Members of Fife Council’s Education Scrutiny Committee were told that the hope was agreement will be found across pupils, parents and staff.

Angela Logue, head of education services, told councillors: “We want to get agreement from communities about what is best for us all.

“There are strong feelings from young people about the change they want to see in schools. If we can get as much consensus as possible, then we can work towards that.”

The council has been looking at introducing a blanket policy across its primary and secondaries amid a range of fears arising from phone use.

These concerns include devices causing a distraction from learning, disruption, inappropriate recording and sharing, online harm, cyberbullying, safeguarding, privacy and pressure to remain constantly connected during the school day.

It isn’t just phones that would be included – there has been increased use reported for devices such as smart eyewear, watches and other items which can record, film and access inappropriate content.

With pupils from P6 to S6 now having access to council-issued iPads through the ‘Transforming Learning’ programme, the need for personal smartphone use in the classroom has gone.

The consultation will ask for views on three options currently being considered.

The first is personal smart devices being switched off and out of sight during lessons, with controlled access possible during breaks.

The second is a “bell-to-bell” ban preventing use for the full school day, including breaktimes.

While the third option would involve a complete ban on personal smart devices being brought into school.

Any option taken forward will require a clear exemption process for learners who need a personal device for medical monitoring or health management, disability or additional support needs, assistive technology, caring responsibilities, safeguarding or another agreed exceptional circumstance.

Councillor Altany Craik welcomed the ongoing efforts.

“I am pleased this is here,” he said. “It is the start of a journey we are trying to get on where we have got responsible learners who have been given the tools to do the job.

“The roll out of iPads is going to make a big difference and it should remove the need for people to use smartphones for education.

“We expect them to look after their iPad and we should expect them to get engaged in the mobile phone use.”

Cllr Craik added that it was important to ensure parents were given a level of assurance that their children could still contact them if necessary.

He added: “We want them to be engaged learners but we are not throwing them to the wilds.”

Councillor Aude Boubaker-Calder added: “I am really happy that this is coming to this committee. I think it is really important.

“I have heard of benefits in other countries like Belgium where bell to bell will give them better social skills and a better learning environment.”

A pilot scheme following the consultation is likely to happen between October and December with a report expected to return to the scrutiny committee in January.