New nationwide school regulations will prohibit smartphone use during the entire school day in primary schools and during lessons in secondary institutions, the Ministry of Education announced on Thursday.

The Ministry of Education has introduced comprehensive new regulations limiting smartphone use in schools as part of its Screen Life Balance campaign.

Beginning 22 April 2025, i.e., after the Easter holidays, primary schools will implement a complete daytime ban on smartphones and connected devices, including during breaks and extracurricular activities.

Exceptions will be permitted only for educational purposes under teacher supervision or documented medical needs. Students who need their smartphone to be reachable before or after school must keep it switched off in their schoolbag.

It will be up to the teaching staff to enforce this regulation. In the event of non-compliance, students risk having their phones confiscated until the end of the school day. Parents will be informed in the event of a repeat offence.

The regulations will apply equally to drop-in centres ("maisons relais").

For secondary schools, changes take effect on 2 June, i.e., after the Pentecost holidays, prohibiting smartphones during lessons. Individual secondary schools will have to draw up specific implementation guidelines to define the details of the restrictions, in consultation with all members of the school community.

These measures mark the latest phase of the Ministry's Screen Life Balance initiative launched at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, addressing growing concerns about youth screen time and digital wellbeing in educational environments.