Phone ban introduced for start of term in South Australian schools

One Aussie state is bringing in a controversial new ban for students with the changes due to kick in on term one for some.

A ban on mobile phones will be introduced at 20 high schools in South Australia from the start of term one.

The move will bring the total number of schools participating in the scheme to 45 – or a quarter of the state’s high schools.

All schools will have to implement the ban before the end of term two.

The move comes amid a nationwide push, with a number of schools in NSW and Queensland already enforcing the rules.

Victorian state primary and secondary schools banned mobile phones in 2020 to tackle cyberbullying and reduce distraction in the classroom.

Students must switch off their phones and store them in lockers from the start of the school day until the final bell.

Seaview High School is implementing lockable pouches to uphold the phone ban. Picture: Twitter

Seaview High School in southern Adelaide is among those about to implement the ban.

The school has provided all 1300 students with a lockable lead-lined pouch which they are required to lock their phone inside during school hours.

They can only be unlocked from stations at the schools perimeter after the final bell.

Other schools that have opted out of using the lockable pouches are asking students to switch off the phone or put it in flight mode while they keep them stored away inside lockers or bags.

Former opposition Education Minister Tanya Plibersek said she supports any move that gets kids to spend less time on the phone.

“It is distracting for kids to have their phones with them in class,” Ms Plibersek told Sunrise on Monday morning.

“Teachers are catching kids watching YouTube videos when they should be doing their maths. I think it is a sensible idea.”

The lockable pouches cannot be reopened until the final bell each day. Picture: Twitter

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce agreed and suggested all Australians could benefit from such a ban.

“I would like to get a couple of my friends and ban them as well,” he told Sunrise.

“It is like talking to an automaton. You‘re talking to the head, they are talking to the phone.”

It comes days after NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns teased a similar phone ban would be “up and running: in 2023.

“(Putting) a ban in place should be quite straightforward, because it actually enables teachers to make a distinction and say: ‘You’re not allowed to have your mobile phone,’” he said.

“They don’t have to decipher whether that phone is being used to research an algebra problem or to send a text message to a friend.”

Mr Minns suggested phone use was a potential factor in the NSW education metrics in NSW steadily declining according to international PISA rankings.

Some NSW schools have already implemented a similar ban including Balgowlah Boys High School and SCEGGS Darlinghurst.

While in Queensland, Corinda State High School, Pimpama State Secondary College, Upper Coomera State College and Cairns State High School have also put similar measures in place.

Select schools across NSW, QLD and VIC have already joined the ban. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Schools banning mobile phones from Term 1

Aberfoyle Park High School

Craigmore High School

Eastern Fleurieu R-12 School (for their secondary cohort)

Findon High School

Gladstone High School

Jamestown Community School

Karoonda Area School (for their secondary cohort)

Kaurna Plains School (for their secondary cohort)

Le Fevre High School

Marryatville High School

Millicent High School

Naracoorte High School

Para Hills High School

Paralowie R-12 School (for their secondary cohort)

Salisbury East High School

Salisbury High School

Seaview High School

Underdale High School

Yankalilla Area School (already in place for R-11, extending to Year 12)

Christie‘s Beach High School

There are already 25 schools across SA involved. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Schools with the ban already in place

Aldinga Payinthi College

Balaclava High School

Berri Regional Secondary College

Blackwood High School

Bordertown High School

Clare High School

Cleve Area School

Coomandook Area School

Cummins Area School

Elliston Area School

Goolwa Secondary College

Kangaroo Inn Area School

Keith Area School

Kimba Area School

Kingston Community School

Lock Area School

Loxton High School

Meningie Area School

Mount Compass Area School

Norwood International High School

Parafield Gardens High School

Penola High School

Port Lincoln High School

Renmark High School

Tintinara Area School