This school year in Catalonia began with a trickle of educational centers that, by virtue of their autonomy, decided to put a stop to the use of mobile phones in schools. This has been followed by a movement promoted by families in Barcelona and advanced by EL PERIÓDICO about the need to delay the delivery of the first mobile to minors that has been spreading throughout Spain and that also demands a regulation by the Administration.
Given this situation, and after maintaining an initial position of equidistance alluding to the autonomy of centers, the Department of Education directed by Anna Simó, announced that she would promote a debate in all the institutes of Catalonia to address the issue. An extraordinary School Council has already been convened next week and the Department has sent a letter to all educational centers. initial questionnaire of eight questions to which this newspaper has had access.
In its initial presentation, the department admits that “there is a urgent need to educate students in relation to digital environments, both with regard to the social dimension and the use as a learning instrument.” That is why it proposes to centers “the possibility of establishing a general framework that accompanies centers in making decisions. decisions about the use of devices with the participation of the educational community”.
It provides as elements for reflection that, as reflected in the survey sent to centers on the use of mobile phones in schools, a 52.7% of centers already regulated its use in the 22-23 academic year. Also that various scientific and medical studies, such as those from the Barcelona College of Physicians, link the inappropriate use of mobile phones “to the lack of attention” and “internal restlessness” of the students.
These are the questions that it proposes and that will serve as a basis for moving forward and taking action. Centers must respond with ‘totally agree’, ‘somewhat agree’, ‘somewhat disagree’ or ‘totally disagree’. And they can provide arguments or comments.
“With regard to the regulation of mobile phones in educational centers, it is proposed:
That the Department of Education establish a general framework for the regulation of the use of mobile phones.
That the regulation of the use of mobile phones be carried out by educational centers considering their reality.
That the regulation of the use of mobile phones be done with the participation of the members of the educational community.
That the regulation of the use of mobile phones be approved by the School Council, included in the regulations of each center and published on the centers’ websites.
What key aspects do you think a regulation of mobile phones in schools should include? Indicate from 1 (lowest priority) to 4 (highest priority):
Lesson activities
Spaces: Library, hallways…
Playtime
School time: reception, dining room, camps
Extracurricular
age ranges
Educational levels
Guarding and custody of mobile phones
ls d’ensenyament
6. That educational centers explicitly define in their educational project the use of mobile phones in education and learning activities.
7. That the Department of Education give explicit support to the centers in this regulation through support and supervision.
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8. Do you think there are other aspects that should be included in the regulation?”
The questionnaire has been passed on to the centers for the moment, but question 3 opens the door to active participation of families.