Madrid has become the latest of Spain’s autonomous communities to ban smartphones in all state-funded schools following Galicia and Castilla La Mancha, reports RTVE.es. Previously individual schools were responsible for setting their own rules on the use of smartphones in classrooms but the new regional government will outlaw all use starting from 2020-21 school year. The clampdown will affect around 800,000 pupils in 1,700 schools, who will be allowed to confiscate handsets from pupils who breach the prohibition, although each centre will still be able to decide whether or not the devices can be used in the playground.
The report cites an INE poll indicating that 66 percent of Spanish children aged 10 to 15 have a smartphone, increasing to 80 percent of those over 13. Rising instances of cyberbullying during school hours rather than lower concentration levels are the main driving force behind the measure, added the report.
