In the document, seen by RTL, management announced that smartphones would be prohibited throughout the school site, both for pupils and staff, unless for administrative purposes in the latter case.
Personal tablets and laptops would only be permitted for pupils in the upper cycle - from 4e onwards - although these would be confiscated if not used in accordance with school rules.
Pupils in the lower cycle will have to hand in their mobile phones upon arrival at school. Older pupils will not be made to hand theirs in, but are not permitted to use their phones while on campus. Any confiscated electrical items will be available for students to collect from the secretary at the end of the school day.
The decision follows research by the school board alongside the external company “Lite”, which found that smartphones interfere with pupils’ concentration and attention in the classroom. In addition, management found that digitalisation at school was having a negative impact on students’ behaviour, and affecting relationships between classes and teachers. Another negative point is that fact that smartphone use can easily become addictive.
The school community was recently informed of the decision by the school’s head teacher.
