NSW high schools to be supplied with ‘pouches’, lockable cabinets to enforce student phone ban

Thousands of dollars are set to be spent funding a statewide ban on mobile phones in public high schools as part of a plan to get students focusing on their studies, rather than devices.

A photo of a ‘Yondr’ pouch that NSW high schools will be able to buy to enforce the blanket ban on phones.

Millions of dollars are set to be spent funding a statewide ban on mobile phones in public high schools as part of a plan to get students focusing on their studies, rather than devices.

The Department of Education has awarded contracts worth up to $4.9m for companies to supply schools with ‘pouches’ and lockable cabinets to enable them to securely store student phones during school hours.

The statewide ban comes into force from the first day of Term 4 on October 9 and has been designed to improve students’ learning and social development.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the ban could also help reduce cyber-bullying among students in NSW schools.

But not everyone is on board with the ban as an online petition – signed mostly by students – has called on the state government to reverse its decision to implement the ban.

A photo of Yondr pouches, which can be used by schools to enforce the phone ban.

Ms Car said the statewide ban had been designed to improve students’ learning and social development.

“We know that parents across the state are concerned about the impact that devices like smartphones are having on their kids’ learning and mental health,” she said.

NSW Education Minister Prue Car said the phone ban is designed at improving student outcomes.

“A blanket ban in high schools will create a level playing field, reduce distractions in classrooms, help address cyber-bullying issues and improve student learning outcomes.

Some NSW public high schools have already taken the step to outlaw phones in school hours including Condell Park High School where devices have been off-limits during class time for the last 16 years.

School principal Susie Mobayed said the ban has had significant benefits for the school environment.

“It means teachers and students are focusing on teaching and learning with no interruptions (and) there’s also no room for social media or taking photos and videos during the school day,” she said.

NSW is one of the last jurisdictions not to ban phones in high schools.

The Department of Education has signed seven contracts, each valued up to $699,985 and spanning five years, for companies including Yondr and TechExpress to supply schools with lockable cabinets or ‘pouches’.

A department spokesman said the lockable devices and pouches would be available for schools “to use in line with their school policy for mobile phone management and through consultation with staff, students and parents.”

Schools will have the option of purchasing the storage devices but can also use “zero-cost” alternatives such as storing phones in existing facilities.

The cost outlined in the contracts is understood to be an indication of the “possible spend” of the phone storage program.

The phone ban comes into force next month.

The petition opposing the ban has topped 130 signatures with some opponents arguing “phones are helpful learning tools that let students quickly research something”.

“I think we should have freedom at school like this and they should put trust in us,” one opponent to the ban stated.

“I think it’s dumb as,” another opponent added.

The ban on phones in NSW high schools follows the lead of Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory which have already outlawed student phones in high schools during school hours.

Mobile phones are already banned in NSW public primary schools.