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At the start of each school day, students at Queensway Secondary School are required to store their mobile phones in a shared locker, where they remain until the end of their last lesson, typically about six hours later.
This policy, enforced since 2019, is overseen by teachers and is widely supported by parents, who are informed about it when their children start Secondary One.
Principal Audrey Chen Li Ying explained that the policy helps students avoid distractions during lessons and encourages them to interact socially during breaks.
The initiative is part of a broader trend in Singapore, where schools are increasingly implementing measures to limit smartphone use due to growing evidence linking excessive screen time to mental health issues among youth.
Singapore’s approach aligns with similar bans in countries like France, Finland, and China.
In 2023, the United Nations advocated for a global ban on smartphones in schools, citing their potential to disrupt learning and harm students’ mental health. Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) is expected to introduce new guidelines soon to address device usage in schools.
According to an MOE spokesperson, schools in Singapore already have rules in place to manage mobile phone use during school hours, such as requiring students to store their phones in designated areas.
Some schools, like Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road), enforce strict policies, with students required to keep their phones in personal lockers throughout the day. If students are caught with their phones, the devices are confiscated for a month.
English teacher Fong Chee Sing, who has been with ACS (Barker Road) for 20 years, noted that mobile phones have changed how students interact, with many now spending their free time playing video games or discussing them with friends.
Head of student management, Mohamad Azhar Ibrahim, observed that while rules were stricter in the past, they have since been relaxed due to parents’ reliance on phones to communicate with their children.
Secondary Two student Ng Jun Yi believes that the policy of locking up phones helps him and his peers stay focused during lessons, although he wishes the rule could be relaxed during recess.
At Swiss Cottage Secondary, a new rule introduced in June requires students to turn off their phones during lessons and restricts phone use during breaks.
This change has led to increased attention in class, according to English teacher Gina Hiu, who noted that students were previously distracted by phone notifications.
In July, some Swiss Cottage Secondary students started stacking their phones in the middle of the canteen table during recess to encourage face-to-face conversations. This trend has gained popularity, with more students participating.
The school’s subject head of student well-being, Christopher Lim, emphasized the importance of older students serving as role models and the need for discussions between teachers and students about responsible phone use.
Lim also mentioned that the school has revamped its spaces to promote social interaction, such as introducing round tables in the canteen. The school encourages students to make responsible choices about phone use and provides guidance when needed.
Professor Michael Chia from the National Institute of Education highlighted the importance of schools fostering healthy habits, balancing screen time with physical and social activities.
He stressed that children and adolescents need to appreciate the tempo of real life, which includes time for play, friends, and non-academic pursuits.
Despite these efforts, some students still find ways to bypass the rules, such as submitting “dummy” phones.
Additionally, students can access text messages through their personal learning devices, which are frequently used during lessons.
In primary schools, the use of smartwatches has become more common, and pupils are often required to disable certain functions during lessons.
At Park View Primary School, for example, students must keep their smart devices off and out of sight during school hours.
MOE ensures that school rules and routines are communicated to parents, emphasizing that these measures are designed to teach students values, self-management, and the importance of learning beyond digital devices.
Pam Chuang, a business development professional and mother of two, supports strict phone policies in schools.
She appreciates that her children are less tempted to check their phones during school hours, relying on the school’s general office for urgent communication.
Shoba Agnetha Seetaram, an early childhood educator, also supports restrictions on smart devices during lessons but acknowledges that screen time is still prevalent in schools due to online learning platforms. She believes that while phone usage cannot be entirely banned, it can be controlled and closely monitored by parents.
Culled From Straits Times
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