Newly elected NSW Premier Chris Minns is following up on an election promise by implementing a ban on mobile phones in public Secondary Schools from Term 4 2023, with the aim to improve students’ learning and social development.

Premier Minns says the Government will commence consultation with schools and discuss plans to implement the ban.

With Mobile phones already banned in primary schools, the NSW Government is aiming to follow the example of South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia who already have this policy in place. 

Students may carry phones to and from school but not during class, recess and lunch times, as is the case in NSW public primary schools.

“I know many parents who are anxious about the pervasiveness of phones and technology in our children’s learning environments,” said Premier Minns. 

“It’s time to clear our classrooms of unnecessary distractions and create better environments for learning. 

“These bans will be applied with common sense and in consultation with the experts, to ensure it works to improve our children’s learning outcomes,” he said.

Local Bogan Shire parent Kristy Sheather is more than happy for this plan, despite Nyngan High School already one of the state public high schools to have implemented this plan with the use of Yondr pouches.

“Children go to school for an education not to engage in the use of their mobile phones.”

“If parents need to contact a child, they are more than able to by contacting admin through the front office of their school,” said Mrs. Sheather.

The Yondr mobile phone pouch is a lockable system where students can keep temptation at bay.

“It is a great way to help eliminate bullying, harassment and other forms of negative behaviour that social media and mobile phones cause.”

“This will allow teachers, principals and staff to spend more time engaging in children’s education and keep it as a priority rather than the worry and stress about mobile phones being used in classrooms,” she said.

“I also feel that it gives teachers a much-needed sense of respect as well,” said Mrs Sheather.

A number of NSW High Schools already have this policy in place by insisting phones are kept in students bags or lockers or collecting at commencement of the day or placing them in lockable pouches.

Coming from the view that we have had the Yondr pouches for our phones to go in each day for a few years now, I will say there is definitely more people socialising with each other since the phone ban first commenced," says Nyngan High School Year 11 student Jasmine Bourke.

"More people are getting involved in playing footy on the oval, basketball in the gym or just getting along better within their friend group.

"However it is obvious that there's quite a few students who don't use the phone pouch which defeats the purpose of them but overall they do have a positive impact on the students and it gives them time off their phones and helps them concentrate during their classes," she said.

State schools will soon see a mobile phone ban from kindergarten through to the end of secondary school.

The Premier and Deputy Premier recently met with students, teachers and education leaders at Condell Park High School where a mobile phone ban has been in place for 16 years. 

“Students deposit their phones on trolleys at the start of the school day and pick them up at the end of the day,” according to Condell Park High School principal Susie Mobayed.

“This means teachers and students are focusing on teaching and learning with no interruptions. There’s also no room for cyberbullying, social media or taking photos and videos during the school day. 

“Our approach is strongly supported by our P&C and parents,” said Principal Mobayed.

With the majority of parent’s in favour and on board with the idea, it may take students longer to deal with the ban.

“A blanket ban in high schools will create a level playing field, reduce distractions in classrooms, help address cyberbullying issues and improve student learning outcomes,” said Prue Car, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning

“We know that parents across the state are concerned about the impact that devices like smartphones are having on their kids’ learning and mental health.