by Democrat reporter
MSP Jackie Baillie has backed her party’s plans to implement a mobile phone ban in classrooms, if Scottish Labour comes to power at the forthcoming Scottish elections on May 7.
The party has pledged to remove the devices, described as having a “catastrophic” impact on young people, from school classrooms.
Scottish Labour have already voiced concerns over the rise of cyberbullying and the role of mobile phones.
Dame Jackie has backed the party’s pledge to instruct teachers and school staff to ban phones from the classroom during the school day.
MSP Jackie said: “We have taken on board the views of teachers, pupils and parents and it is clear that they believe that classrooms should be places where our children can learn, free from distraction.
“Cyberbullying is on the rise and evidence suggests it is having a real impact on mental wellbeing and learning development.
“Mobile phones and easy access to social media means that pupils are being targeted during the school day.
“School staff have also noticed shortening attention spans amongst pupils.
“Classroom access to mobile phones is having a catastrophic effect on our young people and their education. It is time it was brought to an end.
“I support Scottish Labour’s position which will see a ban on mobile phones in classrooms.
“Under current guidance, teachers are allowed to ban mobile devices but Scottish Labour would go further and instruct them to do so.
“Despite the SNP Scottish Government doing their best to dismantle Scotland’s education system, we owe it to the next generation to give them the best possible education.
“A Scottish Labour government is committed to doing exactly that.”