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Enacted regulation strengthens penalties for rule violations

Future school policies may permit or restrict mobile phone usage during breaks. The proposed law modification in Baden-Württemberg outlines potential measures in the revised rules. What exact regulations will these stricter measures entail?

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Starting from now, schools have the authority to permit or prohibit mobile phone usage during...
Starting from now, schools have the authority to permit or prohibit mobile phone usage during breaks. This change is being endorsed by the Baden-Württemberg state through a proposed amendment to existing laws. What are the specific stipulations that come with this stricter rule?

Enacted regulation strengthens penalties for rule violations

breezing through TikTok on your phone during a study break or catching up on news on your smartwatch during class, the smartphone has stirred quite the debate in schools across Baden-Württemberg. The state government is now stepping in, aiming to curb the creep of digital devices in educational institutions, particularly when it comes to private use.

In the not-so-distant future, all schools across Baden-Württemberg will have to devise their own regulations regarding these devices. Kickstarting this change is an amendment to the school law proposed by the green-black cabiner.

Bracing for Tighter Mobile Phone Restrictions, Especially in Primary Schools: New Law Coming to Baden-Württemberg

Up until now, schools had the flexibility to set their own rules through house rules, without any obligation to do so. However, this might change. With the insertion of a new section in the school law, the state will require each school to lay down guidelines on the use of mobile devices on school grounds.

The nitty-gritty will be left to the schools themselves, but the government will offer guidance in the form of suggestions and templates. As a sneak peek, it is suggested that primary schools will likely see more stringent regulations compared to secondary and vocational schools, according to Sandra Boser, Green party's State Secretary in the Ministry of Education.

Mobile Phone Use During Break Time restricted in Baden-Württemberg: Rules for Personal Use Prevail

It's important to note that these regulations will only apply to personal use of smartphones and similar devices, such as during breaks or homework help. The use of personal devices in class under teacher supervision will continue to be allowed.

The legal amendment is slated to be passed by the state parliament by the end of the year, after which it will be implemented by the schools. However, the state also reserves the right to impose stricter measures if the initial objectives are not met within a year.

Minister-President Lamenting Mobile Phone Use in Schools

The state government believes that these new regulations will provide schools with a solid legal basis for stringent rules regarding private mobile phone use. According to Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann (Green party), some schools have hesitated to implement such rules due to uncertain legal grounds. Because restrictions on private mobile phone use can be considered an infringement on property rights, a legal basis is necessary, explained Kretschmann.

The state government sees a variety of harmful effects that smartphones and similar devices might have on children, as highlighted by Kretschmann. "Times have changed since I taught in the classroom," he said, going on to share examples such as a primary student's watch ringing during class, or parents frequently calling during school hours to check up on their child. The problem isn't just about disrupting lessons, but also about students spending their breaks glued to their devices instead of socializing or playing together, as Kretschmann observed. State Secretary Boser underlined the fear of social isolation, and pointed to the prevalence of cyberbullying as another concern.

Parents Council Questions the Efficiency of the Planned Regulations

Despite overall support for the green-black coalition's plans, the State Parents' Council has expressed concern about the scope of the proposed regulations. According to Chairman Sebastian Koelsch, the proposed rules seem insufficient given their social objectives. Koelsch advocated for clear guidelines to be established, irrespective of the location—be it rural or urban areas—arguing that the given circumstances should not preclude the implementation of consistent policies.

However, Koelsch acknowledged that some schools may continue to operate as usual, as many schools already have their own rules regarding mobile phone use. He lamented the extra work required of schools that have yet to develop rules and pass them through the school board.

Teachers' Associations Hesitant: Resolving Liability Issues

Various teachers' associations still have questions about potential liability issues. For example, if a submitted phone were to break due to an accident, it should be clarified who would be held responsible, said Gerhard Brand, chairman of the Association for Education and Training. However, Kretschmann dismissed these concerns as unnecessary bureaucracy, labelling them as "far-fetched individual cases" that do not necessitate a legal requirement. Teacher representatives like Thomas Speck voice concerns that teachers often find themselves in the middle of payment demands for damaged devices, feeling abandoned by the system.

  1. In light of the proposed amendment to the school law, schools may need to consider addressing not just smartphones, but also the use of other gadgets like smartwatches in their new mobile device policies.
  2. As the regulations only apply to personal device use, it remains possible for students to use their smartphones during breaks, whether for browsing through social media, playing games, or communicating with friends—acts that, if overdone, could potentially lead to concerns about social isolation or cyberbullying.

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