Schools can prohibit, if they understand it, the use of mobile phones to students in the 3rd cycle of basic education in case of sharing the same facilities with students in the 2nd cycle.
From next school year, which begins in September, the prohibition of mobile phone use in the 1st and 2nd cycle of basic education becomes a rule and restrictive measures are recommended in the 3rd cycle that discourages the use of these equipment in schools.
However, in an explanatory note released Monday on the operationalization of the new rules and recommendations, sent to schools, the Ministry of Education advises that “the widening the prohibition ”of the use of ‘smartphones’ also to students of the 3rd cycle of basic education.
This enlargement will be intended for cases where students from 7th to 9th grade “share school facilities” with students from the 2nd cycle.
“This solution, which is an operational suggestion, would reinforce the internal coherence of the rules, would facilitate monitoring and avoid contradictory messages“, it justifies to guardianship.
According to the guidelines sent to schools, educational establishments should, without prejudice to their autonomy in the application of the new rules and recommendations, communicate them in a “coherent and affordable” wayindicating, for example, the spaces and times “where there is prohibition or restriction” of the use of mobile phones or other devices with access to the internet, as well as the “Explanation of exceptions”.
What exceptions?
Schools can exceptionally allow the use of smartphones and other mobile equipment with internet access by health reasons proven, to pedagogical purposes or for students with low domain of the Portuguese language who use devices as translation assistant.
According to the guardianship, educational establishments “can also define applicable sanctions in case of non -compliance with the rules” set, and it is advisable to adapt internal regulations to new rules and legislation.
In the case of the use of smartphones be prohibited, “alternatives should be created that promote students’ socialization and well-being”, especially during the intervals and lunch, as games, sports and leisure spaces, involving students “in the suggestion and dynamization of activities”.
