Qld state school mobile phone policy detail revealed

Mobile phones will be banned in Queensland state schools, and now full details of the policy have been revealed. This is how it will work. YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

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The blueprint for Queensland’s new mobile phone policy has been released to state schools ahead of its rollout for 2024 with key decisions around exemptions and punishments to be made by principals.

Mobile phones will officially be banned in all Queensland state schools from term 1 next year in a long awaited move that aligns the Sunshine State with other jurisdictions.

It comes following an initial refusal from Education Minister Grace Grace to impose a statewide ban saying it would complicate matters, despite calls from experts and parents.

But following public and media pressure, the minister backflipped and announced a statewide review in bid towards a “national consistent approach” to any blanket ban.

Further details of the new policy can be revealed for the first time after Department of Education guidelines that were this month sent to Queensland principals were obtained by The Courier-Mail.

Queensland minister, Grace Grace (Member for McConnel and Minister for Education) during question time at Parliament House.

Principals and school leaders will be tasked to develop a local implementation approach in consultation with the school community that is consistent with the guidelines, the document stated.

The new policy aims to provide optimal learning and teaching environments, increase face-to-face social interactions between students, and reduce the potential for cyber bullying at school.

Students will be allowed to bring mobile phones and wearable devices to school but they must be switched off and “away” during school hours, lunch breaks, and while attending school activities like excursions and camps.

Some schools will implement a pouch system to keep phones out of students hands during school hours. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

HOW PHONES WILL BE STORED

Many schools have adopted pouch and locker systems where devices can be stored for the day, while others have gone for more simple measures such as handing phones in at the office, or be switched off in pockets, pencil cases or school bags.

Clontarf Beach State High School is one to have joined a growing number of schools to implement a pouch system, which will be given to students free of charge but remain the property of the school.

“Parents will be invoiced $20 for the replacement of lost or damaged pouches,” the school’s new policy read.

“Misuse or mistreatment of the pouch will result in consequences for the student.”

WHO WILL BE EXEMPT?

Individual circumstances of students will be considered to those who require temporary or ongoing exemptions to a school’s policy, with principals to make decisions on a “case-by-case” basis.

Exemptions may be given to students with medical conditions, to students who contribute financially to the household and those with a disability or learning difficulties.

English as a second language students and those who use mobile phones as an “augmentative or alternative” communication system or aide may also be exempt.

Phones and wearable devices will be allowed at school, but must be switched off and “away” during school hours.

“When considering an exemption request, principals may seek additional information to support the need for the student to access their device during the school day,” the guidelines read.

School specific exemptions can also be applied at a principal’s discretion, with the department acknowledging that devices can support school teaching and learning programs.

Teachers may give permission for students to use devices in the classroom for a specific and agreed educational purpose.

Principals may also determine to allow the use of devices to make payments at school tuckshops, uniform shops and offices, and during school activities like camps, excursions or representative sport.

HOW WILL STUDENTS BE PUNISHED?

Students can face being put in lunchtime detention, have their phones confiscated, and in some schools be suspended if they record multiple breaches to the policy.

Some of the possible consequences that face students include verbal reminders, directions to place devices in storage and to switch off notification.

Multiple breaches could lead to the temporary confiscation of devices, detentions applied and student be enrolled in an eSmart program.

At Caloundra State High School on the Sunshine Coast, which has adopted a pouch system, students could face being suspended from school if they record several violations, its new code of conduct revealed.