Latest news Italy bans cell phones in classrooms

In Italy, cell phones are generally prohibited in classrooms from the new school year onwards. This is the result of a decree issued by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Cell phones and smartphones may also no longer be used for teaching purposes in future. The use of tablets and computers remains permitted - but only if the teachers agree.

The new decree was published by Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara, who belongs to the right-wing nationalist Lega party. The ban on cell phones is intended to make lessons quieter again. In addition, pupils are to be encouraged to write by hand again.

To this end, Valditara ordered the reintroduction of a "school calendar" in which tasks must be written down in pen. "We need to get our children used to pen and paper again," said the minister. In this way, parents should also be able to keep better track of what is happening at school.

In principle, there has been a ban on cell phones in Italian schools for years, but this has been relaxed in the meantime and not always enforced.

Italy's Ministry of Education has officially been called the "Ministry of Education and Merit" since the right-wing three-party coalition took office in October 2022. This is intended to emphasize the idea of achievement more strongly.

SDA