Banning Phones in Schools? Starting in September, It Will Be Enforced in Vsetín

In 2024, there is a growing push for education reforms to address the overuse of mobile phones.

Some countries have started banning phones in schools, but until now, the Czech Republic has not taken similar steps. This September, the eastern city of Vsetín will implement the country’s first-ever school phone ban.

Banning Phones in the Czech Republic

According to school regulations based on the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child from 1989, primary school students must keep their phones off or in silent mode during school hours to avoid disrupting lessons. They are also prohibited from making audiovisual recordings.

However, students are allowed to keep their phones with them without having to hand them in.

The new regulation agreed upon by the Vsetín district council changes this. “Starting from the new school year 2024/2025, pupils of Vsetín primary schools managed by the town will not be allowed to use or carry mobile phones during school hours,” the council announced.

This regulation will apply to five elementary schools in Vsetín directly managed by the city. These schools are:

Primary School Vsetín, Trávníky 1217
Primary School Vsetín, Sychrov 97
Primary School Vsetín, Rokytnice 436
Primary School Vsetín, Ohrada 1876
Primary School Vsetín, Luh 1544

Phones Switched Off and Locked in Boxes

Students will place their phones in special lockable boxes before school begins. The ban will take effect in all mentioned schools starting September 2024.

According to the Czech School Inspectorate, the ban is legally sound. Schools are responsible for students during school hours, and thus can restrict or prohibit phone use.

“School rules or internal regulations may restrict or prohibit the use of mobile phones or other electronic devices by children, pupils, or students, except to the extent necessary for health reasons,” states the 2020 amendment to the Education Act.

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