Government approved: use of cell phones during lessons to be banned

Chisinau, Nov 20 /MOLDPRES/- Students will no longer be able to use cell phones during lessons. The restriction will be enforced after the government today approved a draft law providing for amendments to the Education Code.

Minister of Education and Research Dan Perciun explained that the new rule is set up at the request of parents, teachers, as well as under international studies and practice of several countries, including Sweden, Romania, France, where the use of cell phones during classes is prohibited.

"This is a very good example of us adjusting our policies to the demands we identify when we go and talk to people," Prime Minister Dorin Recean said.

The draft approved by the government stipulates that students will be banned from using cell phones and any other electronic communication equipment during lessons. The exception to this will be in cases where the equipment can be used for educational purposes, determined by teachers, and in emergency situations, such as the poor health of the pupil or teacher, health problems of a family member, unforeseeable crisis situations. 

Thus, the Ministry of Education and Research aims to increase safety in the school environment, as excessive use of cell phones can cause distraction among students. Cyber-bullying will also be reduced.

The amendments are to be sent to Parliament for consideration. Earlier, Dan Perciun announced that the restrictions would be applied from December.

The initiative to ban the use of cell phones during classes was previously announced by the Ministry of Education in order to give students more space to focus on the educational process and not on their phones. Dan Perciun said at the end of August that students will be able to bring their cell phones to school, but during classes they will have to leave them in special areas and will not be allowed to use them.