In order to avoid distractions during school hours, legislators of the Labor Party (PT) and the Green Ecologist Party (PVEM)proposed prohibiting the use of cell phones and other devices in all basic level schools.
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The coordinator of the PT senators, Alberto Anaya, proposed that the use of cell phones, electronic tablets, smart watches and any other personal mobile device, is prohibited during the school day, except in cases of emergency or special educational needs.
In a reform to article 84 of the General Education Law, it also seeks to establish that teaching and management staff retain students’ mobile devices during school hours to guarantee compliance with this provision, returning them at the end of the day.
In his explanatory statement, he points out that the cell phone, by itself, is not an enemy of education. “In fact, it is a powerful tool when used for teaching purposes, under the guidance of a teacher and in controlled contexts. Allows access to digital materials, promote distance education and promote technological skills. However, its free use, without control or clear pedagogical purpose, becomes a source of distraction and dependency that limits attention and concentration abilities, especially in childhood and adolescence.”
He considered that this practice interrupts the learning process, reduces the retention of information and fragments attention. Besides, generates a type of superficial learning, based on immediacywhere knowledge is replaced by quick internet search.
Details of proposal to prohibit cell phone use during school hours
Meanwhile, Deputy Marco Antonio de la Mora Torreblanca (PVEM) proposed prohibiting the use of cell phones, smartphones and others, by students during school hours, in all basic educational establishments.
In an initiative that modifies the General Education Lawestablishes that the prohibition is not applicable when the device is for authorized pedagogical use, for proven health or disability reasons.
He warned that the guidelines issued by the educational authority must prohibit the use of cell phones, establish the three cases of exception indicated, as well as criteria for protection, turning off, communication with families and Action protocols for teaching and management staff.
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In the explanatory statement, the legislator clarified that the purpose of his initiative is not to limit the use of technology in educational institutions; rather, it is focused on regulating cell phone use during school hours.