Africa-Press – Cape verde. Starting in the 2025/2026 school year, students in compulsory elementary education (grades 1 to 8) will no longer be able to use cell phones during school hours in all school spaces, except in situations duly authorized for educational purposes, the Ministry of Education announced today.
This measure is included in the Guidelines for the new school year.
According to the department, this decision aims to reduce distractions during classes, encourage concentration, promote healthy interactions among students, and prevent the inappropriate use of mobile devices.
Among the risks identified are access to inappropriate content and cyberbullying.
The Ministry of Education clarifies that cell phones may be used as a pedagogical support tool, provided they are under the guidance and supervision of teachers and integrated into teaching and learning strategies.
In the statement, the Ministry of Education (ME) states that the measure follows a trend already adopted in other countries such as Portugal, France, the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
In Portugal, for example, studies by the Center for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies reveal that limiting cell phone use in schools is associated with a reduction in bullying, indiscipline, and conflicts, as well as increased socialization among students, physical activity, and time spent in libraries.
In Japan, the rules are even stricter, with most schools prohibiting cell phone use during school hours, except in emergencies, to ensure that students remain focused on their studies.
In Cape Verde, the experience at Liceu Abílio Duarte in Praia, where the ban was implemented in the third quarter of the 2023/2024 school year, showed encouraging results.
The ME states that greater dynamism and discipline were observed, both inside and outside the classroom, as well as an increase in interaction among students.
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