Mobile phones and other personal communication devices will be restricted in ACT public schools from next year.
From term 1, 2024, the new Personal Use of Communication Devices in ACT Public Schools policy will mean students in years K-10 may not access mobile phones or other personal communication devices during the school day, or during school authorised events.
Years K-10 students will be strongly encouraged to leave their phones and other personal devices at home – however, it is acknowledged that some students will need access to their phones immediately before and after school to help them get to and from school safely.
For Year 11 and 12 students, mobile phones and other personal communications devices will need to be silenced and put away during class. College students will be allowed to use their devices at other times while at school, such as at lunch or break times.
School principals can provide exemptions from this new policy if a student needs their device to manage or monitor a medical condition, to help meet caring or family responsibilities, or for staff when delivering lessons where personal devices add value to the learning program that could not otherwise be supported by a student’s Chromebook (for example, recording a dance performance).
A transition period up to the end of Term 1, 2024 will be available for schools to implement the change, and for those families needing to provide exemptions and the necessary documentation to the school.
“We received more than 3,200 contributions from community members, including current and previous students, parents and carers, school staff, Directorate employees, and members of the ACT community as part of our consultation on this matter,” Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said.
“Through our very broad engagement with the ACT community, we heard that there is strong and consistent support for the removal or minimisation of student mobile phone use in ACT public schools.
“There is strong community and public school staff support for students not to use or access their personal communication devices in primary and high school years, and for ‘put it away’ restrictions during class time for college aged students.
“With regard to colleges, the feedback we received during this process showed an understanding that older students generally required more flexibility and were more responsible than younger students. Given the flexible nature of class times and attendance in the college years, stronger restrictions would also be much harder to implement.
“We had submissions from unions, the Principal Advisory Group (PAG), ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations and community organisations, and we captured student voices through school consultation sessions.”
