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'Buy-In' From Parents Needed For School Phone Ban To Succeed

Thursday, 22 August 2024 14:41

The Education Minister is working on plans to have the measure put in place.

It's claimed a smartphone ban in schools will only be a success if parents 'buy in'.

The Education Minister Norma Foley revealed she is working on plans for such a measure.

It comes after a large number of primary schools across the country implemented a voluntary ban on the use of devices within school grounds during the last academic year.

Brian Barron, Principal of Portlaw National School in Waterford, where a ban on smartphones is already in place, says getting the backing of parents is important:

While the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools thinks the restriction of phone use may be a better approach than an outright ban.

General Secretary of the ACCS, and former Principal of Gallen Community School in Ferbane, John Irwin, says schools already have functioning policies in place:

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