by Katja Schlegel, aargauerzeitung.ch, 4 Nov. 2024 - auto-translation
(Photo): Cell phones on the playground: there are no more pictures like this in Unter- and Oberentfelden. Theme picture: Reto Martin
Cell phone bans at schools - it was the big topic after the summer vacations. Baden, for example, imposed such a ban on all 1,100 pupils at the Burghalde upper school; smartphones have had to stay at home since this school year. The Entfelden district school was not quite as strict, but cell phone use was also massively restricted here: since August, cell phones and other electronic devices must remain switched off during lessons, including breaks. This applies to all school areas - and school levels, so it doesn't just affect the upper school, but all 1682 schoolchildren from Ober- and Unterentfelden.
Principal Darius Scheuzger justified the adjustment to the school rules by saying that prevention was not enough, not to mention the appeal to personal responsibility. “The pupils talked to each other much less, were always online and distracted, especially during the breaks,” Scheuzger told AZ in the summer. In addition, there were borderline offenses: the publication of ill-considered content, close to the borderline of the punishable - or clearly beyond it.
Anyone who breaks the rules today and uses a cell phone or other electronic device must hand it in for the duration of the school half-day. In addition, the infraction is noted internally under “Compliance with school rules”. Exceptions apply, for example, for tasks in sports lessons (orienteering), for young people in the application process or children with diabetes who check their blood sugar using an app.
Clear rules help with acceptance
Even then, just a few days after the new rules were introduced, Scheuzger was positively surprised by the effect: “The desired success is already visible: the pupils are chatting and playing with each other again.” He hadn't seen that for a long time.
Now, after three months, the Entfelden district school has drawn its first conclusions. 55 teachers from the middle and upper school have given their feedback. The majority of them confirm the positive effects, says Scheuzger. Cell phones are practically no longer visible. This has a particularly big impact at the upper school, where almost all pupils have a cell phone.
The effect is multi-layered: the children talk to each other more during breaks or play board games, which also results in fewer arguments. “That's really noticeable. The pupils also don't seem to miss their cell phones at all during the breaks,” says Scheuzger. This is also confirmed by the 55 teachers: Imposing the restrictions on all school levels was a good decision. “The clear rules have ensured a high level of acceptance among the children and young people. With a few exceptions, they have stuck to them.” The same applies to parents; no significant feedback has been received so far. However, a parent survey has not yet taken place.
Where problems are hidden
But there are also challenges: For example, organizational coordination when collecting and returning cell phones is mentioned when several teachers are responsible. The confiscation of cell phones by teachers from other departments can also lead to discussions. “We also need to find a regulation for temporary exceptions, such as the application process,” says Scheuzger. In other words, how the pupils concerned can identify themselves. “We will now clarify with the teachers whether we need to make slight adjustments to the regulations.”
The bottom line is therefore very positive. Scheuzger: “The students experience how enriching a longer period without a cell phone can be.”
Original article in German:
https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/aargau/aarau/schule-entfelden-keine-handys-in-schulzimmern-und-auf-pausenplaetzen-so-faellt-das-erste-fazit-nach-drei-monaten-aus-ld.2691739
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