NSW school kids could have phones jammed to stop misuse

Schools could soon install phone jammers like those used in prisons under a strict new plan to crack down on childrens’ smartphone use in the classroom. Have your say.

The Coalition has slammed Labor for looking at borrowing phone detection technology used in prisons for NSW schools.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said kids are pupils not prisoners.

“We’re talking about students. They are pupils, they are not prisoners. And the fact that what Labor wants to do is bring technology from Supermax into your child’s school, I think it’s incredibly concerning,” she said.

“There’s no consideration of the cost, there is no consideration of the data.

“Having a third party literally be able to track your child and where they are, is incredibly conservative.”

Students who misuse mobile phone during lessons could be thwarted by jammers like those used in prisons.

Earlier The Daily Telegraph revealed mobile phone jammers like those used in prisons could be rolled out in schools under a Minns Labor Government.

The groundbreaking plan, being considered by Labor as part of its push to stop students misusing smartphones in classrooms, has the strong support of several independent schools and is also currently before the federal government.

Labor leader Chris Minns wasn’t prepared to put a price to the policy on Tuesday.

A tax-payer funded upgrade of Lithgow prison to include phone jammers cost $3.7 million.

“I’m not committing to the policy now but I am saying, of course we’re looking at emerging technology, when it comes to the changing nature of education in New South Wales,” he said.

“This is happening not just in this state or this country, but around the world.

“We have to have our minds open to emerging technologies so that kids can focus in the classrooms.

“I’ve been really concerned about the status quo, steady as she goes, same as before approach...(the Coalition) seem to be offering to the parents of the state more of the same, but I just say to parents in New South Wales, the best legacy we can leave to future generations is a world class education system.”

The technology is already being successfully used at Lithgow and Goulburn jails and could be a breakthrough for public schools struggling to stop students using personal devices in the classroom.

The highly sophisticated tech would prevent phones from ringing during class time, deny access to social media and stop students from viewing unauthorised content on laptops tethered to their phones.

MP Prue Car confirmed NSW Labor was considering the proposal. Picture: Damian Shaw

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tim Hunter

However it would still allow authorised phones to remain connected for things such as teacher-to-teacher communication and students with medical conditions.

Shadow education spokeswoman Prue Car confirmed Labor was examining the proposal and would welcome anything to prevent the damage and distraction caused by unauthorised phone use during school hours.

“NSW Labor is committed to banning the use of mobile phones and welcomes initiatives that can help deliver this outcome,” Ms Car told The Daily Telegraph.

“We know we need to act on phones in schools to end disruption, improve student focus and behaviour and ensure teachers can focus on teaching.

“Parents should be concerned that the NSW Liberal-National Government does not believe that banning phones in schools helps improve children’s learning and behaviour.”

The move would require the federal government granting special approval for the technology operator Educell, which says it can block phone signals within a specifically defined area while also allowing authorised phones — such as the teacher’s — to continue to operate.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has confirmed that it had received the proposal from Educell and was considering the matter.

“Educell has approached the ACMA with their proposal,” the authority told The Daily Telegraph in a statement.

“The ACMA has asked Educell for additional information about the technical specifications of their proposal and we are currently assessing that information.”

The authority also confirmed it had approved the use of similar technology for jails and would need to ensure it did not disrupt surrounding services.

“Following extensive trials, the ACMA has approved the use of phone jammers in two regional New South Wales jails,” it said.

“In those cases the technology is used to stop the illegal use of mobile phones by inmates.”

Phone jammers are used in the Supermax prison in Goulburn. Picture: Toby Zerna

Educell director Andrew Mednic said one of the company’s founders was a former schoolteacher who had experienced first-hand the challenges teachers now face with mobile phones.

“Addressing the disruption to teaching and learning from mobile phone use at school can’t be successfully achieved with reactive or manual policies and procedures, or by simply trying to completely ban mobile phones at school,” he said.

“Our system still allows students to access the perceived benefits of mobile phones before, during and after school – such as connecting to school Wi-Fi networks, making canteen payments and communication with carers relating to after school arrangements.

“The successful management of mobile phones at school is possible with a proactive approach via a technology based solution.”

The Daily Telegraph understands the proposal has also been sent to federal Education Minister Jason Clare with letters of endorsement from four independent school principals, as well as to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who referred it to the ACMA for consideration.