Public schools move to enforce ban on phones
The public school system is to act “more rigorously” on its personal electronic device policy in light of concerns including the mental health of students, cyberbullying, unsafe social-media content and “sexting”.
Crystal Caesar, the Minister of Education, wrote to parents and guardians outlining the policy which mandates that devices including mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets and gaming devices must be switched off and placed “out of sight” while students are on school grounds.
Four levels of infractions are listed in the policy — two at the lower end for inappropriate behaviours, one level for serious disruptive behaviours, and a level for dangerous and violent behaviours, including bullying and sexting, which can result in expulsion.
Some exemptions are in place, including for middle school and senior school students who may require their devices for specialised learning purposes, and for some students with medical requirements.
Ms Caesar said in her letter: “The Bermuda public school system remains committed to strengthening both student learning and overall wellbeing.
“One of the key concerns we have observed is the increasing amount of time students spend on mobile phones and other personal electronic communication devices during the school day.
“These devices distract from learning, disrupt the classroom environment and often negatively impact mental health, peer relationships and safety due to issues such as social-media content, online messaging and cyberbullying.
“To address this, effective September 9, the BPSS will be enforcing its mobile phone and personal device policy more rigorously.”
Under the policy, mobile phones and devices including smartwatches, gaming consoles, and Bluetooth accessories must be turned off and stored away before entering the school building.
Devices must not be turned on again until students leave the building at the end of the day.
The policy applies during the regular school day as well as during after-school programmes and all co-curricular or extracurricular activities on school grounds.
Exceptions include middle school and senior school students who may use devices including laptops, Chromebooks or tablets, if they are approved by the school for educational purposes.
Allowances do not extend to mobile phones or other personal electronic devices.
Exemptions are also given to students with specialised learning needs, including those identified through an individual education programme, as well as for English-language learners and those who may need a device for health or medical reasons.
Punishments range from verbal warnings at the lowest level for violations such as a device not being stored away or being turned off, to device confiscation, corrective programme referral, detention, suspension and even expulsion for more serious infractions — including bullying, harassment and other activity that “seriously disrupts the educational process and/or is an illegal action”.
Repeated noncompliance may result in a student being banned from bringing a device on to school premises.
Bermuda’s private schools tend to have policies in place whereby personal electronic devices must be switched off and stored while on school property. Parents wishing to contact their children can do so via the school telephone system.
Dave Horan, the principal at Warwick Academy, said: “Warwick Academy’s primary and secondary schools have never allowed mobile device/phone use during the school day. We do allow our sixth-form students controlled usage in their sixth-form building and only during certain times — not lessons.”
The Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning also has a no-device policy.
Jane Vickers, the director of advancement and communications, said: “Students can bring their phones to school, but once they arrive, the phones are turned off and placed in a locked cupboard for safekeeping until dismissal time.
“Parents can reach the main school office at any time and messages are delivered to the students by the office administrator.
“This policy was put in place to limit distractions so students can focus on social-emotional learning. It also encourages verbal communications with peers and practice using interpersonal skills and social-language pragmatics.”
The Ministry of Education’s policy section can be reached on 278-3300.
• To view the letter to parents from Crystal Caesar, as well as the Department of Education’s policy on mobile phones and other personal devices, see Related Media
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