The case in summary Two counties in Norway let the schools and teachers themselves decide whether mobile phones are to be allowed in the classroom. In the rest of the country, the county has decided that the mobile phone must be left in the school bag during teaching, unless the teacher wants to make an exception. The Education Association and Minister of Knowledge Kari Nessa Nordtun have previously called for a mobile-free school. Several people think it is unfortunate if the regulation of mobile phone use is left to individual teachers, and that different rules become confusing for the pupils to deal with. Several principals at secondary schools in Vestland are positive about the decision and express confidence in the county council and their own school management. Mathias Andersen attends Amalie Skram secondary school in Bergen. He says that it is difficult to adhere to different rules: Some teachers allow mobile use, while others give notice. – Of course it’s crazy. There should actually be the same rules for everyone. It should not be up to each teacher to decide, he says. Mathias believes that the rules on mobile phone use should be the same for everyone. Photo: Laurita Fure Briceno / news Tretten county has recently decided that mobile phones must be put away in lessons, unless the teachers at the secondary schools want to make an exception. In Vestland, each individual secondary school must make its own rules. In Innlandet, it is the teachers’ responsibility to regulate the use of mobile phones. Many fear that it will entail different and unclear rules, which vary from school to school and teacher to teacher. The rules come into force with the new Education Act on 1 August 2024. Rules for mobile phone use in secondary schools All counties in Norway have recently adopted local school rules. Thirteen counties have decided that mobile phones should not be used in teaching, unless the teacher wants to make an exception: Agder Akershus Buskerud Finnmark Møre and Romsdal Nordland Oslo Rogaland Telemark Troms Trøndelag Vestfold Østfold Two counties have decided that the schools themselves must shape the rules: Clear encouragement to be mobile-free school Marielle Henne Skjold also attends Amalie Skram primary school. She says that many disappear into the phone if it’s boring during class. – But it is optional to follow along. So it is perhaps saddest for those who teach, she says. Marielle says that mobile phones are used a lot at school, both in teaching and for other purposes. Photo: Laurita Fure Briceno / news The Education Association and Minister of Knowledge Kari Nessa Nordtun gave a clear call for a mobile-free school earlier this year. – I am confident that the schools, municipalities and county councils will follow the professional advice that will now come, Nordtun told news in February. In connection with the new Education Act, the county councils have adopted local regulations, regarding, among other things, school rules and mobile phone use. In Vestland, the schools must decide for themselves. Askeland believes that the rules will be best if they are decided by those who apply. Photo: Oskar Rennedal – We want to let democracy at school find out what is best in each individual school, says Jon Askeland, county mayor in Vestland. The decision must be reassessed after one year. Decision on school rules in Vestland County Municipality The county council adopted local regulations on school rules. They come into force on 1 August 2024, at the same time as the new Education Act. The rules on mobile phone use at secondary schools in Vestland county read as follows: Each school must, following a local process and based on national recommendations, adopt its own additional rules on the use of mobile phones and smart watches. The school rules are sent for new political consideration after being in force for a year, for evaluation and possible adjustments. Inlandet will strengthen the teacher’s right In Inlandet, the rule is that mobile phone use must be regulated by teachers. The county encourages the use of mobile hotels. Thore Johan Nærbøe, leader of the education association Innlandet, says that the decision is still new, but that the reactions are positive so far. – It was clear from the schools, both from employees and managers, that they wanted an arrangement that built up under the teacher’s autonomy, he says. This is in stark contrast to the reactions in Vestland. 2,200 teachers in Vestland are disappointed Former teacher, Sabine Exner, is now a trustee in the Education Association Vestland. She is surprised, disappointed and skeptical of the decision. Exner believes that the lack of clear rules ultimately hurts the students the most. Photo: Privat Different rules per school, subject and teacher have been the practice in many secondary schools until now. Exner thinks this has worked badly, and does not think anything will change until there are clear rules from the county. – Then the pupils can say “We were allowed to use mobile phones in the previous lesson. Why can’t we do it with you?”. There will be many unnecessary discussions. She fears that the responsibility for setting boundaries will eventually be left to the teachers themselves. Steinar Vegsund Strømsli is the leader of the Vestland Education Association with 2,200 teachers as members. – They give clear unison feedback. We must have a mobile phone ban!, he says. Strømsli believes that the county council should take the role of guardian and set clear rules for everyone. Photo: Arne Stubhaug He saw a question mark as to how the schools should make the decision. Whether it is the school principal’s, the teachers’ or the pupils’ opinions that should carry the most weight. – Ultimately, it is the adults who have to make the final decision and the unpopular vote. I miss the adult register at the county council, he says. The principals have confidence in their own management and the county municipality. Several principals at secondary schools in Vestland are positive about the decision. They express trust in the county council and the ability to assess their own school management. – The processes provide a little more information, which means that we often arrive at a better solution than someone else decides for us, says Ulrik Schutz. He is assistant principal at Knarvik secondary school and local team leader in the Association of Secondary Schools. Although he appreciated the process, he thinks it could be simpler if the decision came from the county. – We stopped having all the rounds and thorough processes. It is time-consuming. Published 04/07/2024, at 10.49
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The county municipality allows secondary schools to set school rules for mobile phone use – news Vestland
