Bremen School's Delayed Mobile Phone Ban: A Mixed Emotion for Educators
School mobile phone ban in Bremen delayed until post-summer break.
It seems like the much-anticipated mobile phone ban in Bremen schools, previously scheduled for June, won't be in effect until after the summer holidays. Minister of Education Sascha Aulepp (SPD) has hit a snag in implementing the ban due to unforeseen formal complications.
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Initially, the ban on checking TikTok videos during break, WhatsApp-ing, or taking sneaky selfies on school premises was set to kick off on Monday. However, reality has proven more complex for Minister Aulepp. The decree necessary for enforcing the ban has not been completed on time and still requires approval from the works council, a process that will only commence next week.
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Schools are now being given more breathing room to prepare for the ban. Some may need to amend their school regulations to comply, and this cannot be done in just two weeks. while educators generally support the idea of the mobile phone ban, they express frustration over the sudden changes and the short notice, citing it as typical of the Minister's approach.
Educators' Mixed Feelings about the Delayed Ban
Relief, but also a touch of annoyance, seems to be the general sentiment among educators. While they appreciate the additional time to prepare, the back-and-forth over the phone ban implementation has left some feeling frustrated. Achim Kaschub, chairman of the Bremen School Principals' Association and principal of Hermannsburg high school, states,
"Pedagogically, it makes total sense. However, the speed at which the ban is announced and the schools are expected to implement it is yet again characteristic of our Minister of Education."
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Despite misgivings, the vast majority of educators support the mobile phone ban concept. In contrast, schools in Bremerhaven, as well as the newly appointed Minister President Olaf Lies (SPD) in Lower Saxony, advocate for increasing media competence rather than imposing bans.
What Does the Mobile Phone Ban Look Like?
The impending ban will apply to all schools in the city of Bremen, from grade 1 to 10. This covers all school forms up to the upper secondary level. Students will still be allowed to bring their mobile phones to school but must keep them turned off and stowed away during school hours. However, for medical reasons, exceptions will be made.
Control Measures and Penalties
While specific control measures and penalties have not been outlined, schools are now granted some leeway to creatively devise an enforcement strategy. In the past, some schools have opted to confiscate phones illegally used, with the phones only releasable to a legal guardian after school hours.
[1] Mobile phone ban in Bremen schools: Facts and Details [3] Bremen's Mobile Phone Ban for Schools - Exemptions and Penalties Explained [4] BremenMobile Phone Ban: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents [5] Bremen Mobile Phone Ban: What you Need to Know
- Educators in Bremen express a mix of relief and frustration as the mobile phone ban, initially slated for June, has been delayed, leading to more time for schools to prepare but also causing concern over sudden changes and short notice.
- The mobile phone ban, when eventually enforced, will apply to all schools in Bremen, from primary to secondary level, and will require students to keep their phones turned off and stowed away during school hours, with exceptions made for medical reasons.
