School year in Finland kicks off with mobile phone bans
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As students return to school across Finland this week, many will no longer be allowed to use mobile phones. Several large cities are implementing phone bans during the school day to curb digital distractions in classrooms.
The government plans to introduce a bill to Parliament regarding mobile phone bans in schools, but the details of the law are still undecided. However, last fall, Helsinki schools received guidance on updating their rules to address mobile phone use.
“In many schools, the mobile phone ban has already been incorporated into the rules in spring,” Outi Salo, head of basic education for the City of Helsinki, told STT.
The majority of schools in Tampere have also introduced a phone ban.
The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) advised schools to address disruptive phone use, citing everyone’s right to a peaceful learning environment. Schools can decide how to implement mobile phone bans, including whether phones can be used during breaks.
“We recommend that all schools and educational institutions prohibit disruptive phone use during lessons and limit its use during breaks according to current legislation, while we await the new, refined legislation,” said Laura Francke, Education Counsellor at the Agency.
With most schools opening on Wednesday or Thursday, students in Finland will kick off the school year under clear and warm skies.
