Mol school critical of national smartphone ban: 'Schools must make their own choices'

The KSOM Campus Sint-Paulus in Mol is pushing back against Belgium's absolute smartphone ban for secondary school students, a policy implemented last September. The school's leadership previously penned a protest letter to Education Minister Zuhal Demir, arguing that while rules are necessary, schools should have the autonomy to decide their own policies.

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We are not against rules regarding smartphones, but we believe that schools should be able to make those choices themselves.

Michaël Vermeiren, director for the second grade, stated that the school is not against clear rules for smartphone use, recognizing the importance of focus. However, he believes that "schools should be given the space to implement a policy that suits their students and context." As a STEM-focused school, technology is central, and Vermeiren sees smartphones as the primary technological medium for communication and app development.

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We find that schools should be given the space to implement a policy that suits their students and context.

Despite the ban for private use, students can still use their phones for educational purposes if a teacher permits. Vermeiren also acknowledged that the ban has had positive side effects, such as a decrease in students taking and sharing photos or videos of each other during breaks, which previously led to various problems. The school reports that students and teachers have adapted quickly to the new regulations.

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We are a STEM school, which means technology is central. The smartphone is the technological medium of today. Think of communication, but also, for example, the development of apps.