Opinion: Why I won’t be following mobile phone ban in my schools

The Queensland government will ban mobile phones in state schools next year. Here’s why my independent schools won’t follow suit, writes Matt Hawkins.

From Term 1, 2024, the Queensland government will implement a ban on mobile phones in state schools. While I understand and respect the logic of the government’s decision, we have chosen not to follow suit.

I have the privilege of leading 23 Flexi Schools across Australia, including 14 in Queensland. Our schools are Catholic schools in the Edmund Rice tradition and are exempt from the ban.

We are not immune to the challenges that mobile phones in schools create, however we do not believe we are tackling the core concerns of this issue through the banning of phones.

Our approach is educative rather than disciplinary and empowers young people to make decisions which affect their own learning. As such, there are three key reasons behind our decision.

Firstly, to assist young people to navigate a world with mobile phones, our staff and our schools are best-placed to lead conversations, provide guidance and help our young people handle the challenges that arise through the use of their devices.

Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools CEO Matt Hawkins

Second, we know that any time a black-and-white policy such as this is implemented, there is a direct impact on staff. Our preference is that our staff spend as much time as possible educating and building relationships with young people, rather than looking for hidden mobile phones or sitting in lunchtime detention.

Finally, we see there are amazing learning opportunities that can be created by harnessing the potential of the devices in our students’ pockets. We choose not to see phones as a barrier to learning but an opportunity.

Phones provide not only access to a universe of knowledge, but an opportunity to discuss the ways in which we relate to each other and behave in the real and virtual worlds. Having phones in our schools provides an opportunity to have these conversations.

Our work in EREA Flexi Schools is based on the concept of Operation by Principles. Rather than imposing a list of school rules, our staff and young people are asked to work within our four principles: Honesty, Participation, Respect, and being Safe and Legal. Mobile phones provide the perfect vehicle to teach young people about each of these four principles, and we do not wish to pass up that opportunity.

Dr Matt Hawkins is CEO of Edmund Rice Education Australia Flexible Schools Ltd

Originally published as Opinion: Why I won’t be following mobile phone ban in my schools