Tell it to SunStar: Prohibit use of smartphones, gadgets during school hours
In a significant move towards enhancing the learning environment across schools, the introduction of the Electronic Gadget-Free Schools Act, designated as Senate Bill 2706, signals a pivotal shift in classroom dynamics. This groundbreaking legislation calls upon the Department of Education (DepEd) to establish comprehensive guidelines that would enforce a ban on the use of mobile devices and electronic gadgets within the confines of school premises during academic hours. This proactive measure extends its reach from the youngest learners in kindergarten right through to those in the senior high school echelons, encapsulating both public and private sectors of basic education.
The rationale behind this stringent policy stems from an understanding that, although technology in the form of mobile devices and electronic gadgets holds immense potential to redefine educational paradigms, their unregulated presence within the classroom can significantly detract from the learning experience. The intrusion of these digital devices is often linked with declining academic performances, shifting the focus away from educational achievements towards the pitfalls of digital distraction.
Digital devices have opened the door to a myriad of challenges, not least of which includes a heightened exposure to cyberbullying, further underscoring the necessity for controlled usage. The implications of these distractions are not merely hypothetical but are supported by empirical evidence. According to findings from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), a staggering 80% of 15-year-olds admitted that their focus during lessons was compromised by personal smartphone use, as well as by the use of smartphones by their peers. The disturbance caused by such distractions is quantifiable, correlating with a notable depreciation in academic outcomes across key subjects such as mathematics, science, and reading.
Despite the overarching prohibition, the proposed legislation does present nuanced allowances for the usage of these devices under specific circumstances. These entail scenarios related to pedagogical requirements, including classroom presentations and other learning-oriented engagements, as well as considerations for learners’ health and well-being that necessitate the use of such technologies. Furthermore, exceptional circumstances highlighting safety concerns, encompassing emergencies, perceived threats, and school-sponsored field excursions, are also taken into account, providing a balanced approach to the policy.
In a global context, the push towards regulating mobile device usage within educational settings garners support from influential quarters, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report by UNESCO advocates for the adoption of more stringent controls over mobile phone usage in classrooms. Surprisingly, the report illuminates that merely 13% of countries worldwide have instituted laws that either completely or partially restrict mobile phone use in schools, with an additional 14% having implemented policies, strategies, or guidelines aimed at curbing this digital encroachment.
This legislative initiative, therefore, not only aims at curtailing the distractions posed by electronic devices but also endeavors to recalibrate the focus of educational institutions towards fostering environments that are conducive to learning, free from the perils of digital disruption.
