The Austrian government has banned the use of mobile phones in schools throughout the country. It will become effective in a few days. The restriction applies to both the interior of the school and activity outside its area.
The ban, which will come into force on May 1, was introduced in the form of a amendment to the regulation on the principles of creating school regulations. Until now, the regulations have been banned from using “subjects disturbing the work of the school”.
This is the first serious decision of the Ministry of Education as part of the recently established new coalition government.
Age limit
The new ordinances prohibit students to the eighth grade – that is, up to the age of 14 – the use of cell phones, smartwatches and similar devices for digital communication.
This restriction applies to both the interior of the school and classes outside its area and during school events. In practice, this means that these devices cannot be used even during school trips.
In the event of a violation of the ban, the student will be required to give the phone to the teacher and the device will be returned to him after class. If the teacher decides that “parental situation requires it” – then the phone will be returned directly to the parent or guardian of the student.
There are exceptions
The new regulation allows exceptions to the ban. The teacher can allow the device to be used when it is needed in connection with the educational process or for medical reasons. In addition, students must be able to use cell phones in a way appropriate to their age during school trips lasting several days.
Until now, bans on the use of mobile phones in schools have been introduced by individual trade union countries or by specific educational institutions. Monday's decision of the Ministry of Education unifies these issues throughout the entire area Austria.
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