As the new academic year begins in Greece on 11th September, students at schools across the country will be required to keep their mobile phones inside their bags at all times during lessons. This new regulation was announced after a meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and education minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis. The campaign named ‘Cellphone in the School Bag’ aims to tackle the issue of distractions and negative impacts on the learning process caused by the use of mobile phones in schools. Under the new rules, pupils who fail to comply will face exclusion from school for a day, with repeat offenders facing longer punishments. Additionally, anyone caught filming their classmates or teachers without permission could face expulsion from school.
The decision to implement these new regulations comes as an extension to measures introduced earlier in March, which aimed to combat cyberbullying amongst students. Education minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis had previously announced penalties for pupils found filming their peers and ridiculing them online. However, this is the first time in Greece that a comprehensive system of penalties has been established to address the issue of mobile phone use in schools. Officials have identified mobile phones as a significant distraction that can impact the educational process. While there was a general ban on mobile phones in schools dating back to 2002, teachers found it challenging to enforce the rule effectively.
In a similar move, officials in the primarily French-speaking Belgian region of Wallonia recently outlawed mobile phones in 373 schools. The aim of these measures is to create a more focused and conducive learning environment for students. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of students being entirely focused on the educational process during school hours. He stated that the scientific data supporting the negative effects of mobile phone use in schools are overwhelming, from distractions to other important issues. The decision to require students to keep their phones in their bags throughout the school day is based on these findings.
Despite the strict regulations, some educators have stressed the importance of convincing students rather than just threatening them with punishments. A spokesperson for the high school teachers’ union OLME stated on Greek radio that it is crucial to work towards persuading students to switch off their phones voluntarily. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where students can fully engage in the learning process without distractions from their mobile phones. While it may take some time to achieve full compliance with the new rules, officials are hopeful that students, parents, and educators will understand the importance of this initiative in promoting a productive learning environment in schools across Greece.
