Scottish Tories 'lay groundwork for universal ban on mobile phones in schools'

The party has begun discussions on a private members bill that would ensure pupils across Scotland would be banned from taking their phones into class.

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Conservative’s education spokesman, said he hoped the issue would gain cross-party support in the next government.

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Mr Briggs said: “The debate around banning phones in classrooms has been taking place for a number of years now and it is clear that schools have been looking to SNP ministers for clear direction and leadership on the issue which simply hasn’t been forthcoming.

“As with violence in schools, without the backing of clear national legislation headteachers do not feel empowered to act.”

The MSP has been working with the non-governmental bills teams to determine what a stand-alone bill would contain.

He said that, after speaking to teachers, it was “clear” that there is no consistent policy approach to putting phones off and away during lessons.

Mr Briggs added: “That is why I believe it is time for real action and why the Scottish Conservatives are working to bring forward legislation in the next parliament to deliver a national ban on mobile phones in school.

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“At a UK government level Kemi Badenoch is leading the calls to restrict access to social media for under-16s, to ensure that pupils are not distracted from their learning, remain focused on their lessons, and to prevent our children and young people form being exposed to explicit content online.”

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has previously said the Scottish government cannot issue a blanket ban on phones in schools because the power to do so - under the 1980 Education Act - rests with local authorities.

Following a public petition on the matter, Ms Gilruth said: “The decision to limit access to mobile phones in schools is a policy decision resting with head teachers and local authorities.

“However, our starting position is that headteachers are empowered to take the steps that they consider appropriate, and, if they see fit to restrict mobile phones in schools, the guidance will support that.”

The Scottish government has said its position is that full bans on phones in schools are supported but headteachers must be trusted to make the final decision.

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A number of councils, including Moray and Perth and Kinross, have introduced full bans, and Edinburgh City Council is currently consulting on a complete ban following successful pilot projects in two secondary schools.

However, Mr Briggs said: “It is increasingly obvious that we have not seen action from SNP ministers over the last 19 years to take forward reforms in education to address the inconsistency we see in the delivery of education and national educational outcomes - that has to change and the next Parliament must deliver on this agenda.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “National guidance on mobile phones already makes clear that we support full bans in schools – but that we trust Scotland’s headteachers to take the steps they deem appropriate for their schools.

“The UK government is responsible for the regulation of the internet and we have been clear in our calls for greater controls to reduce online harms to children.

“The Education Secretary met with parents as part of the Smartphone Free Childhood group in a roundtable to hear their concerns on their issue earlier this month.”