The Department for Education welcomed Parliament's decision.
The Cypriot Parliament has passed a law banning the use of mobile phones and other smart electronic devices in schools.
Students are not banned from bringing their phones to school, but they must be switched off at all times.
The new rules apply to all grades in high schools and technical schools, reports ERT.
Some exceptions apply, in case of health and safety emergencies. For example, when students suffering from diabetes need to use an app to measure their blood sugar level. Another exception is if the teacher specifically allows students to turn on their electronic devices for strictly educational purposes.
The Akel Party has proposed an amendment that would prohibit students in grades 1 to 3 from using their mobile phones throughout the day, including during breaks, while students in grades 4 to 6 would only be allowed to use them during breaks. The proposal was rejected.
The Ministry of Education welcomed Parliament's decision. It said the aim was to create "a distraction-free school environment without disrupting the learning process, contributing to students' emotional stability, limiting incidents of digital bullying among students and enhancing students' overall well-being and academic performance". | BGNES
