Prohibition of Cell Phones in Primary and Limitations in Secondary
The head of the Ministry of Education announced at the end of last year that she would propose a ban on mobile devices during the entire compulsory stage, with the exception of educational uses that may be proposed by secondary school teachers.
At a recent meeting of the State School Board, a document proposing a general ban, including dining halls and playgrounds, but also an exception, was unanimously agreed upon.
Occasional use in secondary school
The proposal urges students not to bring devices to Primary School and to keep them switched off throughout the day in Secondary School. However, occasional educational use will be permitted if it fits a teacher’s specific educational project.
In the post-compulsory stages, the Council proposes that each center regulate according to its interests.
Reinforcement in Mathematics and Reading Comprehension
In addition to the approval of this document, the Prime Minister explained details of the plan to strengthen Mathematics and reading comprehension. The main innovation is the extension to the Baccalaureate, with an expected investment of 500 million euros.
The minister has emphasized that this investment will be as big as the plan is ambitious, although the exact amount is yet to be determined.
Debates on the Prohibition of Cell Phones
The decision to ban mobile devices on school grounds has generated debate. More than three hundred teachers have signed a manifesto in favor of the educational use of mobile phones in the classroom and against the ‘reactionary’ discourse that defends the ban.
The manifesto addresses specific questions about the use of ICT in classrooms and highlights its usefulness for active learning, multimedia content that enriches the educational experience and facilitates the personalization of teaching.
It also debunks some myths related to mobile phone use, such as myopia or effects on cognitive functions, attributing them to misuse rather than the nature of the device.
Expansion of the High School Reinforcement Plan
Regarding the reinforcement plan announced by Sánchez, the main innovation is its extension to the Baccalaureate, covering from 1st Primary to FP.
The plan includes the reduction of students per class, the reinforcement of teacher training and free extracurricular classes.
The educational community expresses skepticism, highlighting the insufficient financial resources to achieve the effectiveness of the project.
Difficulties and Skepticism
Education unions point out that the allocated resources (0.8% of the total education budget per year) will limit the benefits of the project.
Experts like Lucas Gortázar claim that with this budget, only a small percentage of students can benefit, questioning the viability of the project.
Unfeasible Proposal of the Common Ebau
The minister criticizes the common Ebau proposal presented by the PP, considering it legally unfeasible. He points out that there are no serious studies that support the idea of easier Ebaus in certain autonomous communities.
He recalls the diversity of regional curricula, with 50% decided by each regional government, and questions the possibility of taking the same exams for all students with this diversity.