Finally, Catalonia today approved the instructions on the use of mobile phones in educational centers, the reference framework by which all schools and institutes will be governed. The document establishes absolute restriction in the pre-school and primary stages, including extracurricular activities, while in ESO and post-compulsory education it can only be used if the teacher so decides and always for educational purposes. That is, off if not stated otherwise. In post-compulsory, high school and vocational training they must also be turned off in the classroom. Outside of class, each center will decide the regulation that applies but, in any case, students will be responsible for their devices.

This regulatory framework, which arrives one day before the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training meets with the autonomous communities to decide on a consensus on this issue, will be applicable from the next academic year 2024-2025. It is based on the assumption that the use of mobile phones in secondary school should be “as minimal as possible.” The recommendation of exceptionalities for health reasons, for example, is included.

Each center will have this document as a reference that can be specified in accordance with its educational community. “The objective is to enhance coexistence in schools and minimize the disruptive aspects of mobile phones, without forgetting the importance of guaranteeing the establishment of students’ digital competence,” according to the Department of Education.

These instructions are already in the hands of schools and institutes. Now, educational centers must debate, assuming this framework, the rest of the regulation such as offenses and incorrect actions if the rules are broken.

In this sense, once the center’s operating rules are approved, the entire educational community, teachers, students and families must be informed about the rules and the consequences of failing to comply with them.

The instructions explain that, in general terms, all people who interact with an educational center must act in a manner consistent with the regulations, taking into account that they are reference models.

The document urges to debate what will be the use of mobile phones by teachers and families. Exceptionally, some institutes may determine a broader use of mobile phones during teaching time than that determined by this frame of reference. These are centers that have “unique projects” that signed up for the Mòbils.edu program that promoted the use of mobile phones for educational practices. Currently, there are about 30 centers in this program.

The councilor has specified that in this case, a broader use of the mobile phone must be voted on by two-thirds of the center’s school council, which is made up of management, teachers, students, families, as well as administrative staff and representatives of the municipality. And that decision must be authorized by the territorial services. In any case, use will not be allowed during leisure time.

Specifically, in stages, the Government has agreed:

Infant and primary. Absolute restriction on the use of mobile phones in the educational center, during school and non-school hours (patio, dining room, extracurricular activities…). If a student has a device, it must be in a safe place determined by the center and they will recover it when they leave the center. The document establishes exceptions for use for health reasons or necessity for certain students. The counselor has given an example of the use of translation for foreign students who do not master the official languages.

In compulsory secondary education, in general, a student who has a mobile phone must turn it off when entering the center and leave it in the place determined. In teaching activities, the center may decide to allow its use in exceptional circumstances for pedagogical purposes (geolocation, video recording…) or due to personal circumstances of the student. It is recommended, however, that for teaching activities the center prioritizes the use of the laptop or the center’s own devices. In the case of non-teaching activities, mobile phones may not be used, with the aim of preserving personal interaction between student, teacher and other members of the educational community. In this way, we want to guarantee that leisure time is screen-free, that it promotes play, physical exercise and direct interpersonal relationships, so that the disruptive aspects of the devices are minimized. Exceptionally, it may be used for the purpose of carrying out a specific activity and as long as the reference adults are indicated.

Finally, it is determined for post-compulsory education that the mobile phone is used only if the teacher decides so for learning activities. During non-teaching time, the center may regulate it according to the age of the students “monitoring its proper use.”