New school year/ Manastirliu warns: No phones in school, we are strengthening measures to ban cell phones

2025-09-01 11:52:00, Aktualitet CNA

New school year/ Manastirliu warns: No phones in school, we are strengthening

The Minister of Education and Sports warns of strict enforcement of the ban on cell phones in schools and calls for cooperation between teachers, parents and students.

The Ministry of Education and Sports, with a special instruction, has determined the rules and measures for prohibiting the use of mobile phones and related devices in pre-university educational institutions.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, in her message to students, teachers, parents and the entire community, said that school should be a safe space focused on learning.

“School is the place where we build the future of our children, it is the space where care, concentration and respect for each other and the learning that takes place in the classroom should prevail. For several years, we have had a rule that mobile phones are not allowed to be used during class. But this school year, looking at the experience of other countries and recent studies, we are strengthening the implementation of this rule, so that it is truly effective. We are not alone in strengthening measures to ban the use of mobile phones in schools and European countries have applied these measures and have reinforced this rule this year. We are moving in the same direction, because the results are clear: less distraction, more success in learning, more well-being for students.”

The minister explained that the decision does not aim to exclude technology, but to orient it towards proper use.

"This decision is not at all against technology. On the contrary, it is about learning to use it in the right way and at the right time. Lesson time is for learning, for discussing, for collaborating with each other. OECD and WHO studies show that frequent use of phones by children reduces concentration, reduces activation among students in the classroom, and also, in some cases, can increase the risk of bullying."

The Minister of Education and Sports, Ogerta Manastirliu, announced that the new rule is clear and applicable to everyone and that it clearly defines the responsibilities of teachers and parents.

"This school year, the rule is simple for everyone: Phones should not be taken to school. In the event of a justified need by the parent, to the school administration, to provide the child with a phone, then the phone is turned off, the student hands it over according to the school rule in the drawer or box designated in the classroom, from the moment the lesson starts until the end of the lesson. The teacher in charge and the administration are responsible for implementing this rule. In urgent cases, communication with the parent is only done with permission or through the teacher or school director. The teacher's role is to be an example in implementing this rule.

The role of parents is to cooperate with the school by reinforcing the message at home, so that the child understands that this rule is for his or her own good. If this rule is not respected repeatedly even after advisory and recommendatory measures, the school administration decides on the progress of other measures according to the rules set out in the school regulations, as a clear signal that respecting the rules, among other things, is also an important part of personal educational formation.”

In concluding the message, Minister Manastirliu called for full cooperation between teachers, parents, and students.

"Implementing this rule is a shared commitment and duty, teachers, parents and students, so that the lesson is a lesson, and for this we need books, we need to use technology responsibly, according to school protocols, serving the education and upbringing of students, and above all we need a lot of care, respect and cooperation with each other. Good preparation for the start of the school year to all students and parents!"/ CNA