Question Time blog: Qld Government announces survey on mobile phone impact in schools

The Education Minister has tasked her department with surveying state schools as part of an investigation into whether mobile phones should be banned in schools. 

A statewide survey of schools investigating the impact of mobile phones will be launched, with a decision on whether Queensland will ban mobile phones in schools to be crafted within months.

Former Queensland Family and Children’s Commissioner Cheryl Vardon has been tasked with heading up the evaluation of what the state should do when it comes to mobile phones in schools.

Education Minister Grace Grace revealed in parliament on Thursday she had tasked the department with surveying state schools to get “a clearer picture on exactly what is happening” on phone bans.

“The best interest of our students will be at the heart of what we do,” she said.

Queensland Minister for Education Grace Grace. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Queensland stands to be the only state without a blanket phone ban, instead leaving it up to individual school principals to decide whether to bring in a ban.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this month said a “nationally consistent” approach was needed for her to ban mobile phones in schools, though experts quickly pointed out that Queensland simply needed to follow interstate counterparts.

Ms Grace confirmed she had raised the matter with federal counterpart Jason Clare, who she said agreed it would be helpful to have a nationally consistent police as different jurisdictions have different interpretations of what a mobile phone ban in schools looks like.

Ms Vardon’s report is set to be ready by the end of June, in time for Ms Grace to take to the next meeting of education ministers.

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Originally published as Question Time blog: Qld Government announces survey on mobile phone impact in schools