Filenews 29 October 2024
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN) is proceeding with the implementation of the legislation prohibiting the use of mobile phones in secondary general and technical education schools as of today, preferring the pedagogical approach to the issue, as stated by Ilias Markatzis, Director of Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
Mr. Markatziis explained that the circular, which was given today to schools falling under this legislation, underlines the importance of utilizing the relationship of trust between teachers and students, in order to understand the aim of this regulation and for children to understand what the legislation provides for and that it is applied because it is judged to be to their benefit.
Essentially, according to Mr. Markatzis, this is a transitional period during which the imposition of penalties on students is not preferred, but an effort will be made to cultivate a culture that will lead students to a healthier relationship with their mobile phones. He also noted that the new legislation concerns only break time, as the ban on using a mobile phone in classrooms has been in place for years.
Asked about the instructions received by teachers, who are in charge of both monitoring and implementing legislation, Markatziis said that they have been asked to use persuasion, make observations and explain to students the legislation and their obligation to implement it. The aim, as he said, is for this transitional period to evolve painlessly and without punishment.
At the same time, the Ministry of Education encourages schools to create safe storage areas for each student's personal belongings, as the legislation stipulates that phones must stay in bags and not be easily accessible to students. Also, an effort is being made to create healthier employment outlets for students during recess, Mr. Markatziis said.
Asked if there are restrictions on the use of mobile phones by teachers, he noted that there is no ban on teachers, as they are adults who are in their workplace but are discouraged from using a mobile phone, adding that it is a moral obligation of teachers to set a good example on this issue, as well as on all aspects of school life.
Finally, Mr. Markatziis said that this measure was applied to individual schools, within the framework of the internal operation regulation, before the legislation was passed and is operating smoothly. Besides, he noted, the legislation provides that when the child has a specific need and needs to communicate through his phone, he can do so.
OELMEK President, Dimitris Taliadoros, said that with this legislation, as with others that have been implemented, in the first days there is always understanding on the part of teachers. He added that in case a student notices a repeat of the violation, the penalties provided by the law, which range from community work to expulsion, will also begin to be imposed.
Replying to a question on how the checks will be carried out, the President of OELMEK said that the teachers on duty in the common areas of the school have been charged with the responsibility to carry out checks for compliance with the regulation. For his part, however, Mr. Markatziis noted that the implementation of the legislation is the responsibility of all staff.
CNA
