Mobile phone ban ordered for schools in China to improve students’ focus on study and fight addiction to the internet and games
- Ministry of Education says students need written permission to take their mobile phones to school, and must hand them over during class time
- Schools are urged to install pay phones and teachers are told not to assign homework using mobile phones. The ban appears to have broad support
Chinese authorities have banned the use of mobile phones in schools.
The Ministry of Education said the ban, which applies to both primary and secondary schools, was designed to crack down on “internet and games addictions” and help students focus their attention on study.
The ban restricts students bringing mobile phones onto school grounds. A pupil will need parental approval, along with the school’s written permission, before the student is allowed to bring their device to campus.
However, all phones must be relinquished during class time, the ministry said on its website on Monday.
Its directive, which is effective immediately, is aimed at “protecting the students’ eyesight, making them focus on study and preventing them from getting addicted to the internet and games”. It has the added goal of “enhancing students’ physical and psychological development”.