The bill on banning gadgets in classrooms requires taking into account the opinions of teachers, students, and parents, said Ukraine's educational ombudsman Nadiia Leshchyk on Thursday, UNN reports.
Details
At the end of March, a draft law "On Amendments to Article 53 of the Law of Ukraine 'On Education' Regarding the Obligation of Students Not to Use Phones, Tablets, and Smartwatches During Lessons, Except for Educational and/or Medical Needs" (No. 15105) was registered in the Verkhovna Rada. This is already the third bill with a similar initiative.
"Using gadgets has its advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, gadgets can be used in the educational process, but they should not interfere with it. We must also remember that we live in wartime conditions, when there are many security challenges. Therefore, the ability for a child to quickly contact their parents, if necessary, is very important," Leshchyk noted.
With the help of a mobile phone, she continued, it is possible to record facts of violations of the rights of participants in the educational process.
"At the same time, scientists have proven the negative impact of gadgets on a child's academic performance and psychological state," the educational ombudsman pointed out.
The bill needs discussion
Discussions on social networks, the official noted, confirm the opposing views of teachers and parents regarding the prohibition of students using mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches during lessons. Based on observations of such discussions, teachers largely support the ban on phone use, while a significant portion of parents are against this ban, she added.
"At the same time, we see that the opinion of students regarding whether to ban the use of phones and other gadgets during lessons has not been studied," the educational ombudsman remarked.
Therefore, I believe that the bill needs to be discussed with all interested parties to find a common solution
Also, in her opinion, when establishing the obligation not to use phones, tablets, and smartwatches during lessons and developing appropriate rules, it is important to consider the child's age.
The problematic issue is the procedure for implementing the rule on banning gadgets
"The bill does not define responsibility for students violating the prohibition of using phones, tablets, and smartwatches in class not for educational and/or medical needs. Currently, if a student's use of gadgets interferes with the educational process, in particular distracts them or other students during the lesson, the teacher has the right to make remarks and demand that the student stop hindering the lesson," the educational ombudsman pointed out.
Also, according to her, a number of other interrelated issues are not regulated:
- whether there are grounds for confiscating gadgets from students in case of violation of usage rules;
- the procedure for storing gadgets in case of confiscation for temporary storage, including the storage location, its arrangement and access, responsibility for the safety of personal property;
- conditions for a child's access to gadgets in case of urgent need not related to educational and/or medical needs, in particular security issues.
"The absence of responsibility defined in the law can lead to abuse in educational institutions and violation of the rights of participants in the educational process," Leshchyk noted.
As the educational ombudsman has repeatedly emphasized, during the educational process, the optimal option is to keep the mobile phone in the student's backpack (bag) with the sound turned off.
In her opinion, a culture of proper phone use should be formed, as it is just a tool that can be used for both good and harm. The culture of phone use should be formed both in the family and in the educational institution.
"Therefore, this issue needs to be approached in a balanced way, taking into account the needs and interests of children, teachers, and parents. We cannot rely solely on foreign experience, as we have serious security challenges," Leshchyk concluded.
The educational ombudsman, as she reported, sent her position on the bill to the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada.
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