Ban on mobile phones in Fife schools to help combat violence

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth, a former modern studies teacher at St Columba's High in Dunfermline, said there "are undoubtedly growing behavioural issues" with the devices.

However the Scottish Government will stop short of bringing in a nationwide ban on phones in classrooms as it is "not considered to be appropriate or feasible".

Ms Gilruth said: "This new guidance empowers headteachers to take the steps they see fit for their school to limit the use of mobile phones, including a full ban on the school estate if they feel that is required, and I would encourage teachers to take all the steps they feel necessary to combat these issues."

In 2023-24 there were 5,185 'violence, aggression and threat' incidents against Fife Council workers, with 4,444 (86 per cent) in schools.

There were more than 4,000 'violence, aggression and threat' incidents in Fife schools in 2023-24.

The EIS union said teachers in Fife have suffered broken fingers and other injuries and are constantly in "fight or flight" mode due to increasing levels of violence in schools.

READ MORE: Fife headteachers report 'serious' incidents are on the rise

The education minister said that the use of mobile phones in schools "can detract from learning" and could also "create unsafe learning environments that can impact behaviour".

However she insisted: "This decision is one which rests with Scotland's headteachers, who know their pupils and their staff and who we trust to take the best decisions in the interests of their school communities."

A worrying 76 per cent of Fife teachers who took part in a survey last year said the culture in their school is that poor pupil behaviour is 'part of the job' and they should expect to receive abuse and violence.

Analysis from the NASUWT union suggested violence in schools was "worse in Fife", with staff members regularly sworn and spat at, with a significant number reporting they have been punched, kicked and head-butted over the past 12 months.

The Scottish Government guidance suggested that policies on "respectful and responsible use of mobile phones" should be drawn up with the involvement of pupils, staff and parents.

With almost two thirds (62 per cent) of children aged eight to 11 in Scotland owning a mobile, rising to 96 per cent for 12 to 15-year-olds, the document stressed "mobile technology is an integral part of the lives of children and young people".

Education minister, and former St Columba's teacher, Jenny Gilruth MSP. (Image: Newsquest)

However, concerns have been raised about the impact on behaviour, with the guidance adding: "It is evident that mobile devices, when used inappropriately, are causing disruption to pupils' learning and that of their peers."

The Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR) from 2023 highlighted an increase in "the abusive use of mobile phones in schools" - with devices used to "bully or harass" pupils and staff, with incidents filmed and posted on social media platforms.

It found "challenging behaviour" can be "widespread in secondary school", with issues around students vaping, the use of "misogynistic and explicitly sexualised language" by boys and in school truancy - where pupils go to school but are not in class, instead spending time in corridors, toilets and social areas However some benefits to pupils taking their mobile phones to school were highlighted, such as using them to order school meals.

Ms Gilruth said: "Since the last action plan on relationships and behaviour in Scotland's schools was published in 2017, our children and young people have experienced periods of significant challenge, including a global pandemic and a cost-of-living crisis which is causing real difficulty for families across the country.

"There is no doubt this has had a major impact on their schooling and how they learn."

Stressing that improving factors such as behaviour and attendance in schools was a top priority, she added the government had been working with local council leaders in Cosla and others to draw up a new action plan.

However Mike Corbett of the NASUWT union said it was "disappointing that the Scottish Government has not as yet committed any additional funding, time or resources to schools" for the plan.

He added: "We know that mobile phones can be used as a tool to bully and harass fellow pupils and teachers, as well as distracting pupils from their learning.

"We therefore welcome the guidance from the Scottish Government that school leaders can take steps to limit or ban the use of phones in their schools if they see fit.

"However, to be effective, addressing the use of mobile phones should form part of joined up, whole-school strategies on managing pupil behaviour."