AQW 28191/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 04/06/2025
Answered On Date: 11/06/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, further to the comment he made on BBC Radio Ulster on May 27th in the context of upskirting, to detail: (i) when the smartphone ban in schools will come into place; and (ii) if there will be consultation with schools on how it will be implemented.

Answer:

Current guidance for schools on the use of personal mobile phones is contained in Circular 2024/14.

Many primary schools have taken steps to ban the use of mobile phones in schools and a significant number of post-primary schools have also significantly restricted their use during the school day. Circular 2024/14 endorses this approach.